The morning sun spilled gold over the Hidden Leaf borders. Mist hung low between the trees, curling like restless spirits. Kaelen adjusted his Genin headband, feeling its weight — both symbolic and heavy.
Today is my first mission… I can't afford mistakes.
He glanced at his friends. Riku was bouncing on the balls of his feet, hands crackling with faint sparks of lightning chakra. Riyomi adjusted her headband, scanning the horizon like a hawk. Haru, quiet as ever, simply tightened the straps of his medical pouch.
Kiran-sensei walked slightly behind them, calm, eyes hidden behind mirrored shades. He looks chill, but I know he's watching. Kaelen smirked.
The mission itself was simple — escort a messenger to a nearby border post. C-rank. Nothing that should trouble a new Genin. Yet, as Kaelen's fingers brushed the hilt of his wooden sword, the faint pulse of chakra hummed back.
It's like the sword can feel… anticipation.
"Stay sharp," Kiran said casually, though his tone carried a subtle weight. "You're walking into the forest. Anything can happen."
Kaelen nodded, stepping ahead with Riku at his side. The wind ruffled his hair, carrying the scent of damp earth and pine.
Peaceful. Too peaceful.
A branch snapped somewhere to the left. Haru's eyes flicked up. "Did you hear that?"
Riku grinned. "Probably just a fox. Relax."
Kaelen's grip on his sword tightened. The pulse under his fingers quickened. Something wasn't right.
And just beyond the thick mist, two sharp glints of metal caught the morning sun.
Someone's here.
Scene 2 ambush..
--- The forest grew denser as the team walked deeper, mist curling around their ankles like ghostly fingers. Birds were silent. Even the wind seemed hesitant, holding its breath.
Kaelen's fingers tightened on his wooden sword. Something's off… His instincts screamed.
"Hey," Riku said, breaking the silence, "why does it feel… too quiet?"
Before anyone could answer, a sharp, cocky laugh echoed through the trees.
"Didn't expect to see little Genin wandering out here alone," a voice called out. Smooth, taunting, and dangerous.
Kaelen's pulse quickened. Two figures stepped from the mist — a tall man with black hair streaked with crimson. Twin blades dripped faintly with a dark, almost red aura. Blood blades… Kaelen recognized the danger immediately.
"I am Kurota Gen," the taller figure announced, spinning his blades lazily. "And I suppose you're the famous new Genin making waves in Konoha. Cute. Really cute."
Riyomi stepped forward, hands glowing slightly with chakra. "You won't scare us."
Kurota smirked. "Scare? No. I'm here to see how fast you break." His grin widened. "Or maybe how long your little sword lasts."
Kaelen felt the wind shift around him, a subtle pressure against his skin. This guy… he's strong. Too strong.
Kiran-sensei's voice was calm but firm. "Kaelen, get behind me. Stay close to your friends. Watch and learn."
Kaelen's eyes narrowed. I won't hide. I can't. Not with my friends in danger.
He gripped his wooden sword, its faint blue pulse responding to his determination. Time to see what I've learned.
Kurota stepped closer, blades spinning with deadly precision. "Come on, kid. Show me what a Genin can do."
Riku charged, sparks flying from his hands. "I'll handle him!"
Kurota flicked his wrist. A blur. Lightning-fast. Riku barely dodged as a gust of wind erupted from the slash, cutting through the mist like a blade.
Kaelen's heart pounded. If I don't act now… someone's going to get hurt.
He summoned a Shadow Clone, Body Flicker Jutsu, moving behind Kurota in an instant. "Sword Technique: Gale Strike!"
The clone swung, the blade slicing through the mist, but Kurota laughed, stepping aside with effortless speed. "Cute. But predictable."
Another gust of wind cut across Kaelen's face — his clone was destroyed instantly. Riyomi shouted, launching wind shards toward Kurota, but he parried both with a casual flick of his blades.
Kaelen's mind raced. He's faster than anything I've faced… faster than I expected. I need more… I need control…
A strike from Kurota sent Kaelen tumbling into a tree. Pain shot through his arm. I can't lose. I can't…
The rogue's voice echoed, dripping with arrogance. "Your little tricks won't save you, kid. You're just a child playing with a sword."
Kaelen's vision blurred. His chest heaved. It's now or never… I have to… focus… still my heart…
--- Scene 3 — The Sage Mode Awakening
Kaelen's lungs burned. Sweat dripped from his brow as Kurota's twin blades whistled past him, cutting through the mist and striking trees with a force that sent splinters flying. Every strike carried the weight of a Jōnin's experience — and Kaelen's clones were gone. Exhaustion clawed at him.
I can't… I can't lose… He landed hard, sliding across the forest floor, dirt scraping his palms. If I fail here… my friends… my team…
Kurota smirked, stepping closer, blades humming with crimson energy. "Come on, kid. That's all you've got?"
No… not all. There's more. I just need to remember…
Kaelen gritted his teeth, recalling Fukasaku's words:
"Still your heart. Let the world breathe through you."
Still your heart… let the world breathe… He closed his eyes for a fraction of a second, feeling the wind, the trees, the pulse of the forest around him. The world's energy wasn't attacking him — it was waiting, flowing through him.
A surge of nature chakra coursed into him, wrapping his wooden sword in a faint, shimmering blue aura. His vision sharpened. Colors were brighter, sounds deeper, and every movement of the forest seemed alive — every leaf, every gust of wind, every heartbeat.
Kaelen opened his eyes. The pupils had changed — the telltale orange and black pattern of Sage Mode. He exhaled slowly, letting the chakra harmonize with his own.
This… this is it. I can feel everything.
Kurota's grin faltered slightly. "What…? You… you're glowing?"
Kaelen didn't answer. He didn't need to. Movement became instinct — the wind bending around his sword, amplifying every strike. He dashed forward.
"Sword Technique: Gale Cyclone!"
The blade sliced through the mist, leaving streaks of blue light. Kurota barely blocked in time, stumbling back. The forest seemed to react to Kaelen's presence, leaves swirling in his wake like a living aura.
Kurota growled, slashing fiercely. But Kaelen moved with preternatural speed, parrying every strike with precise wind-enhanced movements. Shadow clones flickered into existence, confusing Kurota, though they were weaker than the real Kaelen.
I can do this… I can protect everyone… I am a Genin, but I am not powerless…
Kurota's smirk returned, but it carried a hint of respect. "Hah… clever… but let's see how you handle this!"
With a sudden leap, Kurota spun, blades striking like lightning. Kaelen barely blocked, sparks of chakra flying from their clash. Pain lanced up his arm, but he didn't falter. The forest itself seemed to bend to his awareness — wind gusting in precise flows, amplifying his strikes, shielding his body.
This is… Sage Mode. I can fight… I can survive.
Kaelen's sword hummed, glimmering brighter with each swing. He struck again and again, moving faster than Kurota could anticipate.
"Mountain Slash!" he shouted. The blade cleaved through the air, creating a sharp wind that slammed Kurota backward into a thick tree. The rogue staggered, blood trickling from a shallow cut.
Kaelen's chest heaved. He could feel the strain — Sage Mode was powerful, but taxing. Every second drained his stamina. I can't push too far…
Kurota blinked, suddenly grinning again. "Not bad, kid. Not bad at all. But I'm not finished yet."
With a casual flick, Kurota vanished into the mist. Kaelen's eyes narrowed. He knew the rogue wasn't defeated — just delayed.
He'll come back… stronger… and he'll bring others…
Kaelen stumbled back, the Sage chakra fading, his breathing heavy. His friends rushed to his side, faces etched with worry.
"K-Kaelen!" Riku shouted, grabbing his shoulder.
"I'm… fine," Kaelen panted, gripping his sword tightly. I've survived… and I'll grow stronger.
Kiran-sensei approached, voice calm but firm. "You did well, Kaelen. But remember — strength without control will kill you before your enemies do."
Kaelen nodded, wiping sweat from his brow, the faint blue aura of his sword pulsing softly.
This is just the beginning… I won't fail again. No matter who comes next.
---