Raizen and Might Fist stood before Tobirama's office, they received order to come to the office.
Inside the Second Hokage sat reviewing few scrolls.
Tobirama: "You have trained for many days now. I can't justify keeping you in the village. It's time you see real combat."
He rolled the scroll and handed it over.
Tobirama: "This is an A-Rank mission. A group of bandits has taken over a supply route on the edge of Fire Country. They're well armed, some ninjas. I want them gone."
Might Fist grinned as he took the scroll.
Might Fist: "About time we got to punch real people."
Raizen: "We'll finish it quickly. Quietly."
Tobirama raised a hand.
Tobirama: "You won't go alone. Kagami Uchiha will be your guide. He knows the terrain and can ensure your retreat if things go wrong."
The door behind them opened.
Kagami appeared with body flicker. Calm and confident. His eyes carried the weight of countless missions but a spark of interest lit up when he saw the boys.
Kagami: "So these are the duo brats everyone is whispering about."
Might Fist: "We are not brats. We are shinobi in training."
Raizen: "We're ready."
Tobirama nodded.
Tobirama: "Depart at dawn. Do not fail."
As they left the Hokage's office, Raizen felt a pressure in his chest. The weight of responsibility. The quiet power of his newly awakened Conqueror's Haki.
But he had made his decision.
He would keep it hidden. For now, it was a secret weapon not something to display unless absolutely necessary.
That night, as they prepared for the mission, Raizen reviewed his system log beneath a starlit sky.
[Almighty System - Online]
Daily Task Progress: Next task unlock after 1000 days
Push ups: 500/500 Squats: 500/500 Run: 5/5km
Time Remaining: 9 hours
Progress: Day 561/1000
Kaido Template Progress: 45%
Beast Body (Enhanced) Armament Haki (Mid) Observation Haki (Mid)
Conqueror's Haki (Initial)
He closed it with a thought.
By the next evening the team of three had crossed deep into the forested hills of Fire Country.
The air here smelled of blood, earth and metal. Kagami lead without wasting a word, his Sharingan occasionally flickering as he scouted ahead.
Kagami: "Bandits are camped near the river bend. Thirty of them. Some with chakra. You still confident?"
Might Fist: "Thirty's not that bad."
Raizen: "We'll strike at night. One pass. No mercy."
As the sun dipped beyond the horizon, Raizen clenched his fists, feeling the Beast Body stir beneath his skin.
This was his first real mission.
And failure wasn't an option.