Ch-27 Bandits Hideout.

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...

The next day, Michikatsu arrived at Konoha's gate, where Matsuda was already waiting alone. Matsuda glanced at Michikatsu and asked, "Are you Michikatsu?" He inquired because Michikatsu wore a fox mask with six eyes.

Michikatsu removed his mask, revealing his face. "Why did you hide your face? Are you afraid of ridicule?" Matsuda questioned.

"I'm not afraid of people asking, but no one likes to hear negative comments about themselves. I don't want our client to be deterred by my appearance, potentially choosing another team just because of how I look," Michikatsu explained.

Matsuda didn't comment further. At that moment, Nakamura approached Michikatsu and Matsuda with a smile. "That's very considerate of you, Michikatsu."

"It seems like Nawaki is always late," Nakamura added.

As Nakamura spoke, Nawaki could be seen running from a distance. He soon reached Nakamura, Michikatsu, and Matsuda, apologizing, "I'm sorry I'm late."

"Hmph, this is your usual routine," Matsuda said with disdain.

Nawaki rubbed his head with an embarrassed smile. "Sorry."

"Now that Nawaki has arrived, it's time for us to embark on our mission," Nakamura announced.

Afterward, everyone departed, and Michikatsu left the village for the first time on his inaugural mission. Finally, after half a day, in the evening, Michikatsu and his team reached their mission location—a small hill.

Nakamura stated, "According to the information, there are bandits residing on this hill, and there may be ninjas among them. So, be cautious. I will leave this mission entirely to all of you. I won't interfere unless it becomes necessary. You can decide amongst yourselves who will lead the team, and everyone must follow their leader's orders."

After imparting these instructions, Nakamura departed using the 'Body Flicker technique.'

"The mission leader will be me since I have more experience than all of you," declared Matsuda.

"I don't take orders from someone weaker than me," retorted Michikatsu.

"What did you say, you newcomer?" Matsuda responded, raising his voice.

Michikatsu vanished and reappeared behind Matsuda, stating, "Hush! I'm only listening to you because I don't want to indulge a clown seeking attention. If there's a next time, the injury won't be so minor; instead, I'll have your head."

Michikatsu delivered this threat with an intimidating presence, causing Matsuda to tremble in fear. Not only that, but a gash had also appeared on Matsuda's face. He touched the wound, and his fingers came away stained with blood.

"I will be the leader. Do you have any objections, Nawaki?" asked Michikatsu.

"Sigh, no, not at all," replied Nawaki.

While looking at Nawaki, Michikatsu inquired, "You're Senju Tsunade's brother. Do you possess healing abilities?"

"Yes, I know basic healing," answered Nawaki.

"Good, then heal him. I don't want to jeopardize my first mission just because of the smell of blood coming from his face," Michikatsu instructed.

Nawaki nodded and began to heal Matsuda. Michikatsu then said, "You continue to heal him while I go and scout the positions of these bandits."

Michikatsu left, and after a few minutes, he returned.

"So, there are bandits living up there in the mountains. Their number is around 100, but not everyone is present. From what I overheard, some of them have gone out on a hunt," Michikatsu reported.

"What should we do now?" asked Nawaki.

"We will attack at night when they are drunk and celebrating their victory," decided Michikatsu.

Nawaki nodded, and all three of them concealed themselves, patiently waiting for nightfall.

----

At night, all the bandits who had left earlier returned to their hideout, and upon seeing them, Michikatsu narrowed his eyes. He remained silent, waiting for the bandits' next moves.

Deep into the night, when the bandits were inebriated and asleep, Michikatsu and his team approached the bandits' hideout.

Nawaki asked, "Now that they're drunk and asleep, should we attack them?"

"No, it won't be that easy. I observed all those bandits who returned today, and I can say with certainty that among those bandits, 20 of them were skilled ninjas," Michikatsu replied.

"Are you a sensor-type ninja?" Nawaki inquired.

"Yes, you could say that," Michikatsu confirmed.

"So now you can imagine the threat. I highly doubt those ninjas will be drunk because such ninjas are generally on the run, and they have to be active at all times," said Michikatsu.

"Then should we call Teacher Nakamura?" Nawaki suggested.

"No need. I can handle those ninjas myself," Michikatsu replied.

"What guarantees that you're not overconfident?" Matsuda challenged.

"You're just a Genin yourself. Isn't it easy for me to eliminate you?" Michikatsu retorted. Matsuda fell silent, acknowledging the truth.

"What's our plan then?" Matsuda asked.

"Taking care of these lesser-ranked bandits shouldn't pose a problem for both of you, considering this isn't your first mission," Michikatsu stated.

"No problem," Nawaki replied.

"Me neither," Matsuda added.

"Then try to be as stealthy as possible," Michikatsu advised.

Nawaki and Matsuda nodded, and Michikatsu vanished with a swish, reappearing behind two guards who were standing. The guards' bodies fell to the ground, severed in the shape of a spider web, as Michikatsu had used the 'Blood Demon art Thread Manipulation' to accomplish this. He continued walking as if nothing had happened.

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