An Unseen Threat

"Run! They're coming!" a bandit screamed, his voice trembling as he sprinted for his life.

Before he could get far, a shadow darted past him. A thin red line appeared across his neck. Blood trickled out, and he collapsed to the ground without a sound—dead before he even realized what had happened.

Behind him, his companions met the same fate, each falling swiftly, their lives extinguished in seconds.

Kakashi stood still, his expression unreadable, as he turned his gaze toward Kazuki and Yasu. Both had already dispatched their targets, their movements precise and efficient, reflecting the hard training they had undergone.

Two months had passed since Kakashi's first mission. In that time, he had become sharper, deadlier. He had completed the last assimilation and he had used the last gacha in normal mode instead of waiting for a specific one, his progress was undeniable.

"Good," Mikoto's calm, authoritative voice broke the silence as she appeared between them, her presence steady and commanding.

Her sharp eyes swept over the scene, taking in the bodies of the fallen bandits scattered around them. She lingered on the precise slashes at their necks, her gaze briefly resting on Kakashi. He's improving quickly, she thought, her respect tinged with quiet concern.

Over the past two months, Mikoto had observed Kakashi's unwavering determination. He rarely spoke, avoided unnecessary interaction with Yasu and Kazuki, and never sought advice—not even from her. His focus bordered on isolation. I still haven't had a chance to fully understand him or leave a lasting impression, she thought.

He's undoubtedly talented, she admitted to herself. But this detachment... it's a double-edged sword.

What worried her most was the psychological toll. Physical prowess was vital for a shinobi, but mental resilience was even more critical. Many shinobi don't falter from a lack of skill—they falter because they can't endure the stress, she thought grimly.

"Let's go," Mikoto finally said, her tone firm, signaling the mission's end.

The team began walking toward the village, silence hanging between them like a heavy cloud. Yasu eventually broke it.

"Sensei," he started softly, hesitating before continuing. "When... when did you stop feeling afraid?" His voice carried a mix of curiosity and unease. Though he had been a ninja for a year, fear still crept up on him, especially after the last two close calls.

Mikoto glanced at him, her expression softening slightly. A faint smile crossed her lips. "You don't ever stop feeling it, Yasu," she said gently. "You learn to live with it. Fear sharpens your senses—it keeps you alive. But hesitation? That's what you can't afford."

Yasu and Kazuki nodded, her words sinking in.

Kakashi, however, remained silent, his face betraying no emotion. But Mikoto caught the brief flicker in his eyes, a subtle glimmer that suggested her words had reached him. Whatever he was thinking, he kept it to himself, his mind already moving ahead.

Suddenly, Mikoto's sharp eyes focused on the path ahead. Without warning, she threw a handful of kunai, intercepting a barrage of incoming projectiles.

The team froze, their weapons ready in an instant.

Kakashi's gaze darted around, scanning for signs of movement, his eyes shifting quickly from one potential threat to another. Another ambush, he thought, irritation flickering in his mind.

Though his expression remained calm, he knew he was seen as the weakest of the group. They'll target me first, he realized. I need to be ready.

Kakashi tightened his grip on his kunai, his body coiled like a spring, prepared for the attack he knew was coming.

A sudden strike came from his left. Kakashi instinctively raised his kunai, deflecting the blow with a sharp clang. His sharp eyes caught the attacker's headband, the scratch across its symbol unmistakable—a rogue shinobi from the Cloud Village.

The attacker hesitated for a fraction of a second, surprised by Kakashi's quick reaction. But he didn't stop. Pivoting on one foot, he swung his leg upward, revealing a blade embedded in the sole of his sandal, aiming straight for Kakashi's face.

Kakashi didn't attempt to counter the attack. Instead, he stepped back swiftly, dodging the blade by a hair's breadth. His movements were precise and calculated, giving him just enough space to reset his stance.

For a brief moment, his gaze flickered to his teammates. Yasu and Kazuki were both engaged in fierce battles, struggling to hold their ground against their own opponents. Kakashi didn't have time to check on Mikoto—his opponent wasn't giving him an opening.

The rogue pressed his advantage, moving with relentless aggression. Kakashi parried each strike, his mind racing as he analyzed the enemy's movements. The Cloud ninja was fast, skilled, and clearly experienced, but Kakashi's sharp instincts and training kept him alive.

He's not playing around, Kakashi thought, tightening his grip on his kunai. His muscles tensed as he prepared for the next move. This isn't sparring—one mistake could mean my life.

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Author's pov

What gacha items he should have got?