4 years since Transmigration.
Time really does slip away when you fall into a rhythm of missions, training, sleep, repeat.
"I see him."
Sensei's voice was quiet but firm.
After the Hokage insisted our squad remain intact, he promoted Kagenori-sensei to Tokubetsu Jōnin — just like that, all his retirement talk evaporated. Supposedly… I was to blame.
Watching me build up my clan had sparked a new fire in him — a chance to evolve Aburame insects with his own research. The Hokage even promised him a long break after we finished our Lag Training — the final year of combat sharpening before an Instructor Team formally dissolves post-Chunin Exams.
After that, we could be re-registered as a proper operational squad. No longer students — but comrades under Captain Aburame Kagenori.
…But whether he wore Sensei or Captain on his vest, he would always be the one who taught me how to be a shinobi. I never attended the Academy, so everything I knew came from him.
His big break was waiting. We weren't selfish enough to hold him back.
I opened up my panel.
STATUS
KUROSAWA REN
Power - Elite Chunin
Physique - 437
Chakra - 2145
Specials - YamiGami
Skills - Tagcraft II, Sensor, Taijutsu I, Kenjutsu I, Leader I.
System Stats - 84
Call - The Eye Slows
TREE OF LIFE
Soul Develop (3/10) 10000 SS
Physique
Soul Physique(0/1000) 10SS
Chakra
Chakra Control (10/100) 100SS
Energy Control (2/100) 100SS
One Tail (100/1000) 10 SS.
I had been consistently investing in my basic stats. And finally, I was an Elite Chunin. The year after all that other stuff had been quite slow and easy. The administrative reforms in the clan were going smoothly. Especially since I made Deputy Head official. One of the major concerns Haruto had raised was the leadership structure in my absence. This was frequent due to missions. Especially, our missions sometimes included lower B ranks. Like this one, Hunting 2 missing nin chunins from Sunagakure. I could be gone for weeks. The Hokage had given permission to take missions within the Land of Fire after some weeks. After all, a shinobi cannot hide forever. I had also gotten two achievements.
Achievement - Fighter II - 10 Shinobi Kills (Genin)
Reward - 100 SS
LEGEND - 210
Achievement - Warrior I - 1 Shinobi Kill (Chunin)
Reward - 100SS
LEGEND - 215
But the system wasn't all sunshine. It announced — quite rudely — that the Daily Quest Line was officially maxed.
No more free SS for repetitive chores.
Hard mode unlocked, I guess. No more increase in growth speed without risks.
------
Kagenori-sensei signaled sharply — he had met up with another Shinobi in a barriered cave. We had trailed the rogue for almost an hour to track his partner at their hideout.
Now? We isolate. We strike.
Four vs Two. On paper, it is an easy suppression.
But missing-nin were slippery monsters, and B-ranks weren't assigned based on optimism.
A single hidden ace… and one of us might be coming home as a name on a carved memorial.
We crept closer — patience stretched thin — when a harsh voice called out:
"I know you're there. Come out."
We exchanged looks.
Sensor? That wasn't in the file.
Still, we had numbers. We stepped into the open clearing before the cave.
Tension thickened. The sound of steel drawing arose like a soft whisper. My muscles coiled.
A lazy, mocking voice floated out:
"Konoha shinobi? What luck. I was running low on tools."
Heightening the tension, he emerged — lean, wearing a worn Suna flak jacket. A deep scar carved his cheek. And strapped to his back was a huge blade that made mine look like a damn pocket knife.
Three of them.
This wasn't good. The two we had information on were inferior or, at most, average Chunin. We could take them. But it won't be pretty with this third guy in the mix.
Sensei's tone became ice and iron:
"Rabbit Formation!"
My heart dropped.
Rabbit Formation meant: Hit them with everything you have to disorient them…and run like hell. We have encountered an enemy we can't face.
I looked at him as we all drew paper bombs. His eyes focused on the third man.
Just who the hell was this guy?
No sooner had I taken out the extra tags when that man moved. Wind Chakra howled as it pooled around his blade. He accelerated towards us, as we threw the tags like we practiced, but before they exploded, he was already upon us. The chakra has formed into a ball now. He attacked Sensei, who dodged, but the ball exploded, sending us all flying. The sound of explosions resounded as I switched to smoke cluster grenades. As sensors, we would have the advantage.
I looked up to see one of the Chunins rushing at me while Kagenori Sensei fended off that guy. Rina and Shiro were still getting back up while Souta had engaged the other chunin. I threw the bombs that he dodged in caution and took out my sword. Sensei screamed.
"Remember, Rabbit Protocol!"
Scatter and Run. Was that guy a Jonin or something?
But I obeyed. I decisively threw three cluster grenades at my opponent. After completion. We finally placed its power at B. Because of the widespread explosion, it had looked scary enough for A. But apparently, it wasn't strong enough to penetrate a Jonin's defenses. Chunins, on the other hand, were a different matter entirely.
He dodged, but he wasn't a speed type. He got caught up bad, and before he could complete his scream from the burns, my Katana found his neck. I cheered a bit internally. It was one of my fastest takedowns. But I had a battle to fight.
I reassessed the field. Only to freeze in shock and horror. Shiro lay dead, cut into two clean halves. Sensei had just lost one hand. At the same time, Souta was still engaged in fighting that other Chunin. He was keeping his distance from Souta.
Before my brain could process. The jonin's movements, he had landed a good strike that cost Sensei a good number of insects. I acted. We needed to retreat. And now. I took out every single tag in my bag and hurled it into the fray, then turned around to run. I was a liability to Sensei. I was not gonna be one of those guys who run around screwing things up for some stupid ideals and stuff. This fight was real. And I would get in the Sensei's way. I had done all I could by giving him smoke and fire. I know you want to say that I'm an elite Chunin. But my friend, Raw power is nothing when compared to decades of experience. We had similar power levels. But he would absolutely destroy me in a fight.
I sensed Sensei pick up Rina, and Souta abandoned his fight amongst the fireworks. Sensei made a shadow clone and left all his insects with it for stalling. And then we ran. As fast as our legs could carry.
I didn't see the Jonin pursue. But we got separated in our hurry. In Rabbit Protocol. You take different routes to the safe point.