Small talk

Finally standing before her team, Mikoto couldn't help but feel impressed by Kakashi.

The precise, calculated way Kakashi had defeated the chunin showed he had anticipated his opponent's every move—each action was part of a well-executed plan.

After dealing with the attackers who had tried to kill her, she had made her way over. She had been observing the fight for a while, ready to intervene if necessary. When she noticed Kazuki's injury, she was about to step in herself, but Kakashi's quick, decisive response made her pause.

Though the chunin had been inexperienced and underestimated Kakashi, in the end, what mattered was his defeat.

"Are you all okay?" she asked, her gaze moving over the team.

Kakashi responded with a nod.

Yasu nodded as well and added, "Kazuki's hurt."

Mikoto nodded, already aware. She quickly checked Kazuki's wound and bandaged it, confirming, "It's just a surface wound, nothing serious." She then turned to Yasu. "Go check on the merchant."

Kakashi stood quietly behind her, observing.

"Sensei," Yasu called after inspecting the merchant. "He's just unconscious. Should I wake him up?"

"Let's rest for a bit," Mikoto replied. She, too, was tired from the earlier fight.

Glancing around, she assessed their surroundings. The smoke and blood-stained ground made the area unsuitable for resting.

Gently lifting Kazuki, she moved them to a safer, cleaner spot a short distance away, with Yasu carrying the merchant and Kakashi following closely.

Once they settled in the shade of a tree, Mikoto looked at Kakashi. "Do you have any questions?" she asked, sensing his curiosity.

"Who were they?" Kakashi asked, his gaze steady. Yasu looked at her, intrigued as well, both eager to know who had targeted them.

Mikoto considered the question for a moment before responding. "First, I'd like to hear your thoughts. Where do you both think they're from?"

Yasu thought for a moment and replied, "The Hidden Cloud Village."

Mikoto raised an eyebrow. "And why is that?"

"Well," Yasu explained, "he used a sword, and his jutsu was lightning-based."

Mikoto nodded thoughtfully, then turned to Kakashi, silently prompting him for his perspective.

Kakashi paused, carefully choosing his words. "They might not actually be from Kumogakure," he said.

Her interest piqued, Mikoto leaned in slightly. "Why do you say that?"

Kakashi replied, "It's possible they're from another village, trying to create tension between us and Kumogakure."

Mikoto's eyes sparkled with approval as she considered his theory. He's already thinking outside the box.

"We'll find out for sure after the Anbu investigate," Mikoto said. "Now, tell me about the fight."

Yasu admitted, "I hesitated… I wasn't decisive." He kept his face composed, but internally, he felt a sting of shame. His junior had shown more skill and courage. If Kakashi hadn't been there, and Mikoto-sensei had been restrained, he and Kazuki might not have survived. He clenched his fists, feeling the weight of his inadequacy.

Mikoto gave a small nod. She didn't offer empty encouragement—life-or-death battles demanded skill, not just confidence. Knowing his mistake was already progress.

Turning to Kakashi, she asked, "How was your first battle?" She observed how calm he seemed. There was no trace of disgust or guilt in his expression, no psychological tension that many experienced after their first kill.

.Kakashi considered her question, his gaze drifting briefly to the kunai still in his hand, now wiped clean of blood. He looked back up, his face unreadable. "It went as expected," he said quietly. "He was sloppy. Overconfident."

Mikoto noted the coolness in his tone, as if the fight were no more than an exercise to him. He showed none of the hesitation or shock most young shinobi felt after taking a life. But she could see beyond his calm exterior; she could tell he was processing the experience in his own way, compartmentalizing it.

"Good," she replied simply, not pressing further. She could sense Kakashi's need for silence and internal reflection. In the life of a shinobi, such moments would become routine, even necessary. "Overconfidence is a common mistake," she continued. "But remember, it can be dangerous to assume every opponent will be so predictable."

He nodded, absorbing her advice. Yasu, watching Kakashi, appeared lost in his own thoughts, still unsettled by his own performance. Mikoto placed a hand on Yasu's shoulder. "Experience will come, Yasu. You're young. Mistakes now will help you grow into a stronger shinobi."

Yasu looked at her, a mixture of relief and resolve flickering in his eyes. He nodded, grateful for her acknowledgment of his effort, even if he was still disappointed in himself. "I'll work harder," he said determinedly, his voice firm. "I won't make the same mistake again."

Mikoto offered him a brief nod, then looked out over the quiet forest around them. The air was still, the echoes of their recent fight hanging in the silence. "We'll need to move soon," she said, her tone shifting to practicality. "

Wake the merchant up, we still have to complete the task."

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Author's pov

Any idea for next arc.