Chapter 20: Mission complete... but at what cost?
The days continued and the success rate of team 7 was still 100%, making them the most reliable in the Genin ranks.
C-Rank after C-Rank missions came flooding, along with corpses that fell. Sasuke's hands were dirtied, to the point where they would never be cleaned.
The day came when their first B-Rank mission came in. It was a request for hunting down someone from the Bingo book. The guy was a Chunin-level rogue nin with a commendable number of achievements.
'Nikushimi of the water blade… what an interesting fellow'
The bingo book has it that Nikushimi only practiced a single Jutsu in his entire life, making him one of the most deadliest wielders of that said Jutsu.
A master swordsman with decades of experience. The only reason the mission was a B-Rank was cuz Nikushimi had one hand. Sasuke still didn't understand why would that be a reason.
If the guy pleases, he could very well make a second hand using water style, even if not as strong as the original, still very usable.
"Well my dear students, Nikushimi's current location is near one of the bounty stations near the north-west of the land of fire"
"Hai!"
The trio nodded and prepared to head off, they departed early morning after preparation. The land of fire was big, it was going to be a fairly long journey.
One day passed, their journey still continued. The estimated time was about 2 days, they were one day away from their location.
"Kakashi, if the guy already moved from his previous location... that would be a hassle"
"Yeah, but we can't be so sure he has moved. Investigating won't hurt... and Sasuke, don't engage until I say, I heard there are a couple of A-Ranked and S-Ranked rogue Nins near there"
Sasuke nodded, understanding the gravity of those words. Sakura was now their medic, she started her course 2 weeks back.
Her small Chakra pool helped her to get better control, thus her skills in the medical field were well above the average.
Naruto played the role of an agent in the team. His clones were very versatile for gaining information and his Taijutsu was also well-refined, he was an all-rounder in short term.
"Naruto, you go ahead and send reports about the current status of the bounty station"
The blonde nodded and sped up. Sasuke along with Sakura and Kakashi decided to take a small break.
*Rustle*
"Hmm?"
The Uchiha raised a brow at the suspicious rustle and bustle in the bushes. He neared it to only find a snake.
"Sigh... Let's go"
They continued their journey, when they were halfway, Naruto was heading towards them.
"9 Jonin level nins and 32 Genin levels... the only Chunin level present there is Nikushimi himself"
The trio nodded at Naruto, his reports have always been 98% - 100% correct all the time, Naruto led them through a shortcut he spotted and they jolted towards the area.
Kakashi, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura got in position. They had wireless communication system to give and take orders.
"Naruto here, all of the jonin levels are gathered in back of the bounty building, I can spot some Genin level roaming around. Over"
"Sakura here. I setup up the medical area near the south of the building. Over"
"Sasuke here. Kakashi, I can sense a chunin level nin inside the building, Naruto said all the jonins are outside. Let's make quick work, You take out all the Genins, I'll go for Nikushimi myself"
Kakashi frowned. The kid was going overboard.
"Kakashi here. Sasuke, do not engage right now, wait for him to show up outside... We need a clear view of him, only engage if the kill rate is 100% for you, if not, leave it to me. You take out the Genin-levels... okay?... Over"
"...Fine"
Sasuke murmured. He wanted to test out a new fuinjutsu on the guy, but the situation didn't help any better.
They waited for almost 2 hours before Nikushimi exited the building. Most Jonin-level nins already headed back, only the Genin-levels didn't budge.
"Kakashi here. Sasuke, keep the Genin-level nins occupied, I'm gonna take Nikushimi's head now. I repeat. Sasuke, keep the Genin-level Nins occupied"
"Roger"
Sasuke put on his mask and shot out from his position toward the Genin-level Nins, most of them were adult and a handful only teengers.
"Wha-!!"
With a swift butterfly-kick, Sasuke snapped the guy's head with ease. Noticing two Nins approaching from either sides, Sasuke jumped in the air dodging their punches.
He spread his legs and splits-kicked both of them, snapping them dead instantly.
"W-Who are you!?"
Ignoring the sudden question from a teen with brown hair, Sasuke held out his right arm in the air, lightning flickered in his hand before it formed an arrow like structure.
Sasuke flicked his wrist and launched thunderclap arrow. The guy infront got his head pierced, and the unlucky people behind him to fell victim to his Jutsu.
"Run!"
An afro haired adult said, but before he could run, Sasuke appeared infront of him. The Uchiha clenched his left fist and launched a hook.
He slightly lowered his knuckles, only wanting the middle knuckle to hit the man's jaw.
*Snap*
The sound of bone breaking resounded through the area, the rogue nins in the area froze, unable to move.
The man who just got his jaw snapped fell on the floor, Sasuke focused all his power into one single knuckle, causing a sharp strike that snapped his bone in half.
[Less area, more impact]
Sasuke's white mask was still white, a very rare sight. He used the situation to his advantage to put them all in a Genjutsu.
Sasuke passed them one by one, they also fell on the ground with a sliced throat one-by-one.
Sasuke went towards Kakashi, only to see him pierce Nikishuma's heart with a lightning style Jutsu.
The rogue nin's lifeless body fell on the ground, Sasuke's eyes slightly widened after seeing Kakashi having a big gash on his right arm.
He went to support him and take Kakashi to Sakura.
"What happened? He should've been able to scratch you much less slice you up from shoulder to finger... Who the hell was that guy?"
"I-I'll tell you what happened... later"
Kakashi was breathing heavily, his eye lids were closing from the blood-loss. Sasuke carried him on his shoulder and quickened his pace.
"Sakura! Emergency"
Sasuke laid Kakashi down, Naruto quickly brought a bucket of water to clean it. With the help of Naruto's clones, they quickly set down a camp.
Sakura gasped seeing Kakashi's state, She quickly got into work. She was able to close the wounds by stitching it up, Kakashi's muscles were still ripped from the inside. They had to get back to Konoha, and fast!
'What the hell happened!?'
Sasuke clicked his tongue. He suppressed the bitter feeling inside his stomach and increased his pace.
With the help of Naruto's clones and his absurd amount of stamina, they were able to get to Konoha under a day cuz they hardly took a break.
Sasuke also used Shadow clones for support and his speed was leaps and bounds over Naruto's, they ran like their life depended on it.
***
"What's his condition?"
Sasuke asked the nurse in charge. Naruto and Sakura were sitting on the bench nearby.
"We've stiched up his muscles and stopped the internal bleeding but... I'm afraid he can't continue his Shinobi life after atleast a month, if he move his right hand even a little bit fast, the internal bleeding will begin again"
Naruto sighed a breath of relief from hearing the Nurse's words, Sasuke however, was a bit uncomfortable.
'If there is no Kakashi, there won't be any missions above E-Rank for us... Urgh, what a headache'
'How did a Chunin-level Nin get him like that in the first place... It feels so out of place'
Weekly Power Status
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