After breakfast, the two of them made their way to the training ground. Enso focused his energy. As he did, a colossal Buddha figure, three meters tall, manifested behind him. The monks who were present on the training grounds gasped in astonishment.
Enso had successfully manifested the Buddha form, but there was a catch. He couldn't control the form completely yet. His chakra reserves were abnormally large, which made the process even more difficult.
To fully control the Buddha, Enso needed to completely refine the spiritual aspect of his chakra. Until then, the manifestation would remain partially beyond his control. The current Buddha form was a hybrid, a fusion of the monk's Gift of Hermit Chakra and Enso's own chakra.
Despite its imperfections, the form was still an impressive sight. The monks could sense a profound void emanating from Enso's avatar, perfectly embodying the essence of emptiness.
Once he completed his chakra refinement, he might even be able to achieve something similar to the legendary Susanoo. A powerful manifestation of the user's chakra that was often considered one of the highest forms of Ninjutsu.
After two days of intense training, Enso finally decided to leave the Fire Temple. During his time there, the monks had accepted him as one of their own. He had managed to learn their supreme techniques, and they recognised the immense potential within him.
As he made his departure, the monks lined up to bid him farewell, showing their respect and goodwill. They expressed their goodwill, assuring Enso that he would always be welcome to return whenever he wished. Enso gratefully accepted their invitation, thankful for their guidance and hospitality.
Enso left the temple with a deep sense of accomplishment. With a swift movement, he activated his "Void Step" technique and raced back home at full speed. Once he arrived, he immediately took a much-needed shower, washing away the weariness of the past few days. Refreshed, he made his way to the training ground to rejoin his team.
"You're late, Enso," Hayama said as Enso arrived at the training ground.
Enso had woken up later than usual before leaving the Fire Temple. He had shared breakfast with the monks, and they had all gathered to see him off. It took longer than expected.
"I'm very sorry. The monks wouldn't let me leave without breakfast. What did I miss?" Enso asked with an apologetic smile.
Tokuma flashed him a mischievous grin. "Not much, really. We just accepted a new mission. You only missed the mission briefing from Lord Fourth and the formation practice this morning."
Enso's expression darkened. Itachi chuckled lightly at his reaction.
Hayama patted Enso on the shoulder. "The Chūnin Exams are coming up. I've already registered all your names. Once this mission is complete, you'll have some time to prepare."
The team turned toward Hayama with surprised anticipation. They hadn't expected the opportunity to come so soon.
The Chūnin Selection Exams were the gateway for genin to be promoted. The structure of the exam changed each time, ensuring that no team could prepare for it.
"Following the Third Shinobi World War," Hayama explained, "the exams were opened to all villages and began being held biannually, with hosting responsibilities rotating. These shared exams strengthen diplomatic relations, showcase talented Shinobi to potential clients, and provide a betting opportunity. Even the Daimyō take part in it. You all must give it your best. This year, Konoha is the host."
"So... we're supposed to show off?" Tokuma asked, curious.
"Yes, but do it wisely," Hayama replied, his tone turning serious. "Victory alone won't guarantee promotion. Strategy will. They'll evaluate teamwork, planning, and individual skill. Keep that in mind. You carry the reputation of Konoha with you."
It had become almost a tradition for Konoha Jōnin to send their Genin teams to participate in the exams, whether they were ready or not. Experience was part of the process. But Team 1 wasn't just any team. They included a member of the Hyūga clan, a member of the Uchiha clan, and the personal disciple of both the Fourth Hokage and Kushina Uzumaki.
Hayama firmly believed that his team might become the first in history to be promoted to Chūnin simultaneously. If age wasn't a factor, their skill level was already comparable to that of full-fledged Jōnin.
"Can someone brief me on the mission?" Enso asked, knowing that Hayama wouldn't assign them another task without a good reason.
Hayama chuckled lightly, his mind still half-focused on the upcoming Chūnin Exams.
"The mission takes place near the Land of Wind," he began. "Recently, the Wind Daimyō has started issuing missions to Konoha because our prices are more affordable than Sunagakure's. The task is to capture or eliminate a rogue ninja named Mukade. He's a puppet master responsible for the ruin of Rōran during the Third Shinobi War. It's officially an A-rank mission, but Lord Fourth and I believe the three of you are more than capable of handling it."
Enso frowned slightly. The name Mukade wasn't unfamiliar.
"So, what's the real objective? I doubt Konoha intends to capture him just to hand him over to the Wind Daimyō."
Hayama smiled, clearly impressed by Enso's response. "Sharp as ever. Lord Fourth's true intention is for us to eliminate Mukade. Since Itachi joined the team, we've been drilling various formations and strategies. Now it's time to put those lessons to the test. I want the three of you to operate as a unit. Missions like this will challenge your coordination and strengthen your bond. It's more valuable than any training session we've had so far."
What Hayama didn't say aloud was that Minato was using this mission to secretly assess Team 1's suitability for the Anbu. If they succeeded in completing the mission and passed the Chūnin Exams, they would be directly assigned to Konoha's elite Anbu unit.
"We'll meet at Konoha's main gate tomorrow," Hayama concluded before departing from the training ground.
The next day, Team 1 set out for Sunagakure. Even at their usual high speed, the journey took nearly two days. Upon crossing the border, they immediately noticed the harsh surroundings and occasional strong winds, endless stretches of sand, and the difficulty of maintaining balance and direction in such terrain. Fortunately, they faced no obstruction at the border, as they were officially authorised by the Wind Daimyō to operate within the region.
Once they started looking for information, things got tough. Sunagakure Shinobi were everywhere, blocking their path and warning the locals not to talk. Every lead was cut off, and the locals chased them away out of fear of causing trouble.
Despite the clear hostility, Hayama wasn't ready to give up. He rented a small house nearby so the team could regroup. Even with plenty of money, they were only offered a single bedroom for the four of them—a silent reminder that they weren't welcome.
That night, Hayama activated a voice-isolation barrier and gathered Team 1 for an urgent meeting.
"With Sunagakure Shinobi blocking us at every turn, there's no way we can complete this mission," he said, frustration showing in his tone.
Tokuma and Itachi exchanged uncertain looks, both at a loss for how to proceed.
"Maybe we can bribe some of the shinobi?" Itachi suggested hesitantly, clearly unsure of the idea himself.
Hayama shook his head. "It's not that simple. This feels like a direct order from the Kazekage. Otherwise, they wouldn't go this far to block us and risk offending Konoha."
Tokuma turned to Enso, silently hoping he had a better idea.
"We don't have to play by the rules," Enso said, a calculated smile forming on his face. "I suggest we leave first thing in the morning."
Hayama raised an eyebrow. "Go on."
"We'll use shadow clones as decoys and make it look like we're all heading back to Konoha. Then, we'll use transformation jutsu to disguise ourselves as bounty hunters and investigate the bars where they usually hang out," Enso said with confidence.
Everyone looked surprised by the boldness of the plan.The room fell silent for a moment.
"I've seen a lot of bounty hunters in the area," Tokuma added. "They don't get the same treatment we do. No one's stopping them."
Enso nodded, then handed Hayama a scroll. "This has En Oyashiro's body sealed inside. We can turn it in for the bounty. That gives us the perfect cover."
Hayama took the scroll and nodded, quietly impressed with how far ahead Enso had planned.
"Alright," he said at last. "Let's go with it."
Itachi couldn't help but glance at Enso a few times, clearly impressed by his strategy. He now realised that his rival had unknowingly reached the level of a Jonin, both in strength and in strategy.
The next day, the team began their operation. They sent their clones toward Konoha, knowing that Sunagakure Shinobi had likely formed a team to keep an eye on them. Meanwhile, the real Team 1 disguised themselves as merchants and headed for a nearby Konoha hideout.
The hideout was a clothing store, unassuming and hidden in plain sight. Hayama showed his headband to the shopkeeper and bought a few clothing items to help them blend in as bounty hunters. In the desert land, they needed appropriate clothing to shield themselves from the wind and sand, especially with the drastic temperature changes between day and night.
The area around them was covered by an endless sea of sand. Hayama saw this as an opportunity for the team to practice sand walking, a more advanced technique compared to water walking.
"By the end of this mission, I want you all to be skilled enough to leave no trace on the sand," he instructed, emphasising the added difficulty it would bring to their journey.
Enso quickly picked up the sand-walking technique after Hayama demonstrated it a few times. He realized that the key lay in applying the right amount of force, with chakra control being very similar to the water walking exercise.
Meanwhile, Itachi and Tokuma eagerly competed to see who could master the technique first. Their chakra control was nearly on par with Enso's, and with sand stretching endlessly around them, they weren't in any rush to finish the training.
Hayama decided to split the team into two groups. Enso and Itachi would work together to gather more information about their target, while Hayama and Tokuma would focus on verifying the intel they already had. They agreed to meet up at a new hotel that evening, located just outside the Land of Wind's border.
With their plan in place, Enso and Itachi decided to visit a local gambling house. They knew it would be a good place to gather information, so they used the opportunity to blend in with the regulars, letting their losses lead to casual conversations.
"You idiot, why'd you put it all on red?" Itachi scolded, sitting down at the bar.
Enso laughed awkwardly. "Just trying my luck, I guess." He couldn't help but look at Itachi, slightly dumbstruck. It seemed like the kid had been waiting for a chance to scold him for a while.
"You two aren't from around here, are you?" the bartender asked casually.
Enso chuckled slightly. "We're from the Land of Lightning. But the war between Iwagakure and Kumogakure made it hard for us to make a living out there."
"I heard about it. Lately, people from all kinds of backgrounds have been coming through. The Land of Wind border has become a safe haven for both outcasts and bounty hunters. You two should watch out for Sunagakure Shinobi, though. They don't treat outsiders kindly," the bartender said, his tone kind.
"Are there any other casinos around here?" Itachi asked curiously.
The bartender glanced around before leaning in and whispering, "There are two more casinos in the area. This one's best for bounty hunters. The other two are filled with criminals and outcasts. But be careful. If you're looking for a bounty there, you might find yourself up against some tough crowds. And worse, if Sunagakure Shinobi catch wind of it, they'll kick you out of the border for breaking the unspoken rules around here."
Enso and Itachi lost another round before heading back to the hotel to meet with Hayama and Tokuma.
When they arrived, Enso spoke up. "Sensei, we've been thinking about our next step. What if we disguise ourselves as criminals and split up to gather information from the other casinos?"
Hayama listened carefully, nodding slowly. "That could work," he said, before pausing in thought. "But there's something strange about this mission. Criminals usually stick together, but a man wanted by the Daimyo himself shouldn't be able to linger around here without drawing attention. How is he avoiding trouble?"
No one really had an answer to Hayama's question at the moment. They all knew they needed more information before they could act. The next day, Team 1 checked out of the hotel and made their way to a nearby area. Their plan was to blend in by transforming into small-time criminals from the Bingo Book. They rented a guest house near both casinos, positioning themselves in an ideal location for their investigation.
Enso and Itachi decided to switch their roles for the day. Itachi would play the part of the unlucky gambler, losing all his money, while Enso would step in as the one who miraculously won just enough to cover their losses. They hoped this would get the attention they needed. However, progress was slow. Most people kept their mouths shut, wary of speaking about their fellow criminals. It was clear they weren't going to get much by staying in the casinos.
Meanwhile, Hayama and Tokuma had better luck. They spotted their target at one of the other casinos, but Hayama didn't rush into action. As a seasoned Jonin, he understood the importance of patience. Instead of making a direct move, he blended in with the crowd, taking a seat at the bar. Sipping his drink, he kept a steady eye on the target, careful not to attract attention.
"Tokuma, stay on him," Hayama instructed, his voice steady and controlled. "I'll go get the others."
With that, he rose and moved toward the casino where Enso and Itachi were stationed.
He found them quickly and signaled for them to follow. As they walked, Hayama filled Enso and Itachi in on what he had discovered so far.
"Mukade's really been trying to keep a low profile," Hayama explained, his voice steady but thoughtful. "He enjoys gambling, but his pattern is carefully calculated. He loses more than he wins, but whenever he does win, it's a big enough hand to cover his losses and then some. Then, just as quickly, he disappears—vanishing before anyone can make a solid connection."
He paused for a moment to make sure they were following his reasoning.
"Mukade's really been trying to keep a low profile," Hayama explained, his voice steady but thoughtful. "He enjoys gambling, but his pattern is carefully calculated. He loses more than he wins, but whenever he does win, it's enough to cover his losses and then some. Afterwards, he disappears, vanishing before anyone can make a solid connection."
Enso and Itachi exchanged glances, understanding the complexity of the situation.
"The casinos have already picked up on the irregularities," Hayama added. "They've started their own investigations into him. We might not be the only ones watching him now."
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