Yuhi Zhenhong found Feng huo and got straight to the point.
"Feng huo, do you know what this next mission really means for you?"
Fenghuo nodded solemnly. "Uncle Zhenhong… is it a blessing or a curse? Either way, some disasters can't be avoided."
Yuhi's crimson eyes flickered with surprise. That summed it up perfectly.
"...Well, when the sky falls, there's always someone taller to hold it up." Fenghuo added lightly.
Yuhi nearly choked. Was that supposed to be him? He cleared his throat, pretending not to notice the implication.
"All right. Still early—let's head to the mission hall." Yuhi Zhenhong inhaled the crisp winter air deeply. The chill cleared his mind.
As usual, it was Chūnin Matsushima behind the mission counter.
When Matsushima saw Fenghuo, a trace of embarrassment flashed across his face. He greeted Yuhi Zhenhong with a respectful nod. "Captain Yuhi."
Yuhi returned the nod. "Any B-rank missions available?"
"Yes, quite a few." Matsushima sifted through the request scrolls.
The borders of the Land of Fire had become increasingly unstable. Merchants often ran into bandits—and sometimes even enemy shinobi. Mission requests poured into Konohagakure like snowflakes from every direction.
Matsushima finally laid out a scroll.
Yuhi Zhenhong reviewed the details.
Most were standard: escorting merchant groups, occasional reconnaissance, or targeted elimination. But considering Fenghuo's age, an escort mission seemed the most appropriate.
"We'll take this one." Yuhi pointed decisively at the scroll.
"Understood. I'll register it now."
They accepted a mission to escort two brothers—Inoue Jū and Inoue Getsu—back to Takigakure, the Hidden Waterfall Village. A month ago, the pair had come to the Land of Fire with a trade caravan. Business flopped, the group disbanded, and the brothers were stranded. With tensions at the border, they petitioned Konoha for protection.
The mission reward was 80,000 ryō—just barely qualifying as B-rank.
Fenghuo read the request form carefully.
"Takigakure, huh?"
He only had one impression of the place: Kakuzu—former Takigakure shinobi, now an S-rank missing-nin and member of Akatsuki. A greedy, near-immortal monster who'd once attempted to assassinate the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama. Kakuzu's body was held together by Earth Grudge Fear, a technique that let him steal hearts from others to extend his life. He reportedly lived well into his nineties.
"We're leaving tonight." Yuhi Zhenhong instructed. "Go home, pack light. Meet me at Konoha's front gate at seven."
Fenghuo didn't need much time. His ninja tool pouch was always stocked. He added a few sets of clothes and some seasoning packets, just in case.
Then he stopped next door to inform Obito.
"What? You're going to the Land of Waterfalls? That's awesome!" Obito looked envious. "Bring me back a souvenir or something!"
"I'm going on a mission, not a vacation," Fenghuo muttered. "But sure, I'll bring you something. Just don't expect anything fancy."
He added with a smirk, "I won't have time to say goodbye to the others, so help me pass the word."
"Leave it to me! I'll tell them all you died a heroic death!"
Fenghuo rolled his eyes. "You're such a chatterbox."
After saying farewell, he headed for the main gate. Guards were checking all comings and goings.
Yuhi Zhenhong soon arrived. After confirming the mission details with the gatekeepers, the two slipped out of the village and into the snowy wilderness.
High above, atop the Hokage's Tower, Sarutobi Hiruzen stood in silence, smoking his long pipe.
"Sakumo," he murmured.
Hatake Sakumo appeared behind him without a sound. "Hokage-sama."
"Everything is ready?"
"Yes. All preparations are complete."
…
News of Fenghuo and Yuhi Zhenhong's departure quickly reached both Danzō and the Uchiha clan.
"Heh. Danzō's already making his move."
"Uchiha Fenghuo finally leaves the village. Who should we send to follow—or clean him up?"
"Yuhi Zhenhong is a skilled jōnin, especially with genjutsu. But he's known to be aligned with Danzō. We can't afford to slip up."
"And we certainly can't let the Sharingan fall into Danzō's hands."
"Anyone from the Police Force available?"
"Too obvious. Fugaku Uchiha is ideal, but he just got married…"
"Then send Fox and Rin."
"Uchiha Fox and Uchiha Rin?"
"They'll do."
"Yes."
Two middle-aged Uchiha shinobi emerged from the clan compound, picked up B-rank missions from the hall, and quietly left the village.
At the same time, Danzō dispatched several Root operatives.
Night deepened. The moon hung high and cold.
Sarutobi Hiruzen remained on the rooftop, eyes narrowed.
"Hokage-sama." Sakumo reappeared. "Uchiha Fox and Uchiha Rin have left the village."
"And Root?"
"Unclear. Over a dozen shinobi took missions and departed. Aside from those two, the rest are unconfirmed."
Sarutobi nodded grimly. That was Danzō's way—always covering tracks.
"Shall I begin surveillance?" Sakumo asked.
"No. Root are too well-trained. You'll find nothing."
The Hokage's gaze darkened. He couldn't even trust all of ANBU anymore.
"Just make sure… nothing happens."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
…
Under the moonlit canopy, Fenghuo dashed through snow-laden forests, following Yuhi Zhenhong.
The storm had left the landscape coated in silver. Snow shimmered like an ocean of white waves.
Thump.
Fenghuo's step disturbed a branch, sending snow tumbling.
He glanced up, just in time to see Yuhi Zhenhong's graceful movement—silent, unmarked, like the wind itself.
"Fenghuo," Yuhi called over his shoulder, "when you run, focus on your balance. Breathe with the wind. Blend into it."
Fenghuo nodded and adjusted his pace, practicing as he ran.
They didn't stop for rest—just used military rations and soldier pills to maintain stamina.
By sunrise, they reached the outskirts of a town.
"We'll rest at an inn and meet the clients around noon," said Yuhi Zhenhong. Though he'd run all night, he looked perfectly composed.
He glanced at Fenghuo and laughed. "Matt Dai's training must be tougher than I thought."
Fenghuo grinned. "Uncle Zhenhong, I swear I'll surpass your expectations!"
"Haha, I look forward to it."
"By the way… can you tell me more about Takigakure?"
Yuhi nodded thoughtfully. "The Land of Waterfalls is bordered by four other nations—including ours and the Land of Earth. It's named for its abundant waterfalls. The Hidden Waterfall Village itself lies behind a massive one, well-hidden and secretive. We don't know much—they rarely interact with other nations."
Fenghuo's eyes narrowed. "Do you know about Kakuzu?"
Yuhi raised an eyebrow. "The S-rank missing-nin from Takigakure? Yes, a very dangerous man. Why?"
"I heard he once tried to assassinate the First Hokage. Failed, but somehow survived."
Yuhi chuckled. "Don't believe everything you hear. The First could've killed him easily. He probably let him go—Hashirama-sama was merciful like that."
Fenghuo nodded, thoughtful. Yeah… the man who could bring Uchiha Madara to heel… he wouldn't let a traitor escape unless he wanted to.
Unless you had four legs and a death wish.
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