"This… is my mission?"
"Yes, Kaguya Rei-sama."
The messenger placed a marked map and mission scroll on Rei's desk.
"Lord Xiguashan and Lord Jūzō intend to exploit the gap before Konoha's reinforcements arrive. They plan to strike several fortified positions simultaneously to widen our advantage."
"Catching them mid-rotation with superior numbers," Rei said calmly. "Simple. Effective."
He scanned the scroll once and nodded.
"You want me to take this stronghold by force. Understood. I'll report success."
The chūnin bowed and withdrew.
Mei, who had been about to leave, stopped and turned back, frowning at the map.
"Four uninjured jōnin, over twenty chūnin, nearly a hundred genin. Flat terrain. No ambush angles."
"That's what makes it a test," Rei replied lightly. "They're measuring whether I deserve the reputation."
"You're not bothered?"
Mei studied him carefully.
"Would you be angry if someone called you a flat-chested, short-legged nobody?"
Mei snorted and thrust her chest forward in defiance.
Rei laughed.
"Exactly. Same logic."
He stood, stretching.
"Since they've given me a stage, I might as well make a proper entrance."
The next day, the Mist launched another assault.
Rei, now fully capable of independent command, led his unit to the foot of Kannabi Extension Ridge Stronghold.
"Every tree's been cleared. No rivers nearby," Rei observed.
"So the only viable surprise tactic left is Earth Release."
He sighed.
"Unfortunate for us—two of their jōnin specialize in it."
A chūnin stepped forward.
"Rei-sama, what's the plan? You draw fire while we advance?"
"No."
Rei finished gauging the wind and turned to Mei.
"Today, you don't move."
"What?"
Before anyone could react, Rei kicked off the ground—
—and charged alone.
Mei stepped forward, stopping the others.
"Stay back. If you don't want to melt."
Two Konoha jōnin rushed out to intercept.
Rei grinned.
"So you're coming to me instead of turtling up?"
"How rude."
"Water Release: Hidden Mist Technique."
White mist exploded outward.
In seconds, the entire ridge vanished.
The scale left every Mist shinobi stunned.
Five kilometers.
At least.
Mei inhaled sharply, then formed seals.
"Boil Release: Skilled Mist Technique."
Acidic vapor fused seamlessly into Rei's mist.
From within the stronghold—
Screams.
Raw, agonized.
Mei grimaced.
Close-range combat against Kaguya Rei in blinding acid fog?
She almost felt bad.
Almost.
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