Kumogakure ANBU Headquarters
Boom! Orui's fist struck with the force of a collapsing mountain, the impact reverberating through the underground chamber. The stone floor cracked, splintering beneath him, a spiderweb of fissures radiating outward. The sheer power sent a tremor through the ANBU headquarters, dust sifting from the ceiling.
But the shockwave wasn't the focus. As the other ANBU operatives scrambled back to avoid the fallout, their eyes widened in disbelief. Orui staggered, a pained grunt escaping him as he clutched his arm—scorched and blistered from the impact. Across from him, Ye Liangnai stood unscathed, casually digging a finger in his ear as if bored.
"He blocked Orui's punch head-on?" one ANBU stammered, his voice tinged with awe.
"No way—how's that even possible?" another muttered, shaking his head. In all their years, only the Raikage had ever matched Orui's brute strength directly.
"That barrier jutsu…" a third whispered, eyes narrowing. "It's not just any technique. Orui's fist didn't even scratch it. That's insane!"
The Cloud ANBU stared at Ye Liangnai, their earlier disdain giving way to unease, as if they'd glimpsed a ghost. This guy's got the skills to back up his attitude. The audacity to attempt assassinating the Mizukage suddenly seemed less far-fetched.
Ye Liangnai's lips curled into a mocking smirk. "What's that? All that barking, and you can't even crack my defense? Guess the Cloud ANBU's not as tough as I thought."
His taunt was a spark to kindling. Orui's eyes blazed crimson, his aura surging with feral intensity. "Don't get cocky, you little punk!" he roared, charging like a rampaging beast, his massive frame shaking the ground.
Ye Liangnai didn't flinch. His hands wove seals with practiced ease. "Genjutsu: Spirit Shackle!" His glare locked onto Orui, and the giant faltered, a muffled groan escaping him. The lightning cloaking his body fizzled, his chakra disrupted, refusing to obey.
Shing! The barrier dissolved, and Ye Liangnai vanished, reappearing in a blur before Orui. His white-bladed katana, crackling with lightning, pierced Orui's shoulder with surgical precision. "You lose," Ye Liangnai said, his voice cold, the blade's electric hum underscoring his words.
"Damn… you…" Orui's body twitched, paralyzed by the current, his knees buckling.
"Release Orui, now!" an ANBU shouted, snapping out of their stupor.
"You're pushing it, newbie!" another growled, weapons drawn as they closed in.
"Calm down, folks," Ye Liangnai said, stepping back with a disarming grin, sheathing his blade. "Just testing my future teammates' strength. You don't want me dragging you down, right? I feel the same. Fair's fair, isn't it?"
He glanced at Orui, who glared back, seething. "If you were my enemy just now, your head would've rolled," Ye Liangnai said, his smile icy. "Lucky you."
Orui's face twisted, fury choking his words. "You… bastard…"
"Enough, Kira!" The commanding voice cut through the tension. The ANBU officer who'd escorted Ye Liangnai earlier reappeared, his presence radiating a chilling pressure that made Ye Liangnai's skin prickle. Not quite Mei's level, but close—maybe seven-tenths her intensity. "This is your one free pass. Try it again, and I'll happily put you in your place."
"Got it, got it," Ye Liangnai said, flashing a placating smile.
The officer shot Orui a withering look. "Pathetic display," he muttered, then strode off.
"Catch you later, folks!" Ye Liangnai called, sauntering away, ignoring the murderous glares boring into his back.
"I'll kill him myself one day," Orui vowed, his fists clenched so tightly they creaked, his voice a low growl of resentment.
The other ANBU exchanged glances, their thoughts aligning. His strength's close to a squad captain's. Most captains were Jonin, a few Special Jonin. Orui, capable of tangling with Special Jonin, had been dismantled effortlessly. Ye Liangnai's display wasn't just skill—it was a warning.
Raikage's Office
The officer reported Ye Liangnai's antics, detailing the clash with Orui. The Raikage's brow furrowed, a mix of amusement and irritation crossing his face. "That kid's got some nerve," he said, leaning back. "Too cocky for his own good. Give him solo grunt work—E-rank missions. Let's grind down that arrogance. This is Kumogakure, not his playground."
He'd back his ninja over an unproven outsider any day, at least until Ye Liangnai earned his trust.
"Yes, sir!" The officer saluted and left to deliver the orders.
Ye Liangnai's Quarters
The officer found Ye Liangnai in a dilapidated shack, its walls coated in cobwebs and dust. "Solo E-rank missions, starting tomorrow," he said, handing over a scroll. "Raikage's orders."
Ye Liangnai skimmed the scroll, his expression unruffled. "Punishment for my 'attitude,' huh? Fair enough."
The officer blinked, caught off-guard. He'd expected protests, indignation—anything but this calm acceptance. "You're… fine with this?"
Ye Liangnai shrugged, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "Under someone else's roof, you bow your head. Whining's pointless—might as well roll with it."
The officer studied him, then chuckled. "You're a weird one." He left, leaving Ye Liangnai to his thoughts.
By evening, Ye Liangnai had swept out the grime, arranged the sparse supplies provided, and taken a quick shower. Exhaustion pulled at him, and he collapsed onto the cot, sleep claiming him swiftly.
The Next Day, ANBU Task Office
"Jolting Swan, reporting!" Ye Liangnai stood before the taskmaster, his posture crisp despite the early hour. The assignments were as expected: E-rank drudgery. Weed Grandma Yanagimura's garden. Clear trash from the river outside Kumogakure. Clean Grandpa Wada's house. Tedious, low-paying, backbreaking work meant to humble him.
He didn't care. Raikage thinks this'll break me? Jokes on him.
At Grandma Yanagimura's garden, Ye Liangnai knelt in the dirt, yanking weeds under the sun's glare. A shadow loomed, followed by a familiar sneer. "Well, look at this! Yesterday's hotshot Jolting Swan, reduced to a glorified janitor!" Orui's voice dripped with mockery, his massive frame blocking the light. "Where's that big talk now? Wagging your tail like a lapdog, begging for scraps?"
Ye Liangnai didn't look up, his hands steady as he pulled another weed. He knew Orui's type—bullies craving a reaction to salve their bruised egos. Silence was the sharpest blade. Keep talking, big guy. You're just embarrassing yourself.
Orui's taunts faltered, his face reddening as Ye Liangnai ignored him. The lack of response made him look foolish, and he stormed off, muttering curses.
Ye Liangnai's lips twitched. Predictable. His mind was elsewhere. These low-level tasks are perfect. No fighting, no attention—just a chance to blend in and gather intel. Combat would risk exposing his true skills, but fetching water and scrubbing floors? That was invisibility, a spy's best friend. Plus, I can grind Enhancement Points in my downtime. Win-win.
The Raikage saw punishment; Ye Liangnai saw opportunity. Keep me off the front lines forever, and I'll still come out ahead.