For the next hour, Setsuna explained the duties of their special force. Their names would officially be listed on the Konoha Police Force roster, but this was mostly a cover. Their true purpose was to serve as a hidden backup for the Uchiha clan, a reserve force ready for any situation. The clan would invest in them to ensure they were well-prepared, providing advanced ninjutsu training, weapons, and physical conditioning resources. Thanks to the Uchiha's wealth, they would have every opportunity to fully develop their talents.

Since Shisui was already familiar with the station, he stayed behind to train with the group and build connections with the other teens. Meanwhile, Masaki decided to head home to update Ayame on his new role and gather a few essentials. With the Uchiha clan now backing his training, he no longer had to rely solely on his natural talent. He felt a genuine sense of excitement, knowing that with these resources, his strength would grow quickly.

Later that afternoon, Masaki returned to the station. The group was still hard at work, each member drenched in sweat from the intensity of their practice. Without drawing attention, Masaki found an empty corner and started practicing his sword techniques. Just as he got into his rhythm, a voice interrupted him.

“Your name’s Masaki, right?”

Pausing, Masaki looked up to see a boy about his age. The boy’s expression was curious, his eyes bright with interest.

“Yes, and you are?” Masaki replied.

“I’m Nagai Uchiha.” The boy stepped forward and offered his hand, a smile on his face.

Masaki, a bit surprised by the friendly approach, shook his hand. “Nice to meet you.”

“You use a sword, like Shisui?”

“More or less. I picked up my skills by training with him.”

Nagai grinned. “Shisui’s known for his sword skills around here, so you must be pretty good, too. By the way, in a few days, you’ll have to take your first test, so be ready.”

Masaki raised an eyebrow at that, intrigued but undeterred. “Thanks for the heads-up.”

Nagai chuckled. “I struggled with that test at first. You’ll want to be prepared.” There was a mischievous glint in his eye that made Masaki wonder what he was in for. But Masaki didn’t feel fear—only a readiness to face whatever challenge came his way.

The afternoon passed in steady training, with Masaki observing and jumping in whenever he could. Dinner was provided by the clan, packed with nutritious foods—much like what athletes might eat. He was impressed by the quality; the Uchiha clearly took care of their own. He also learned that once he proved himself, he’d be allowed access to nearly any ninjutsu in the clan’s archives. This offer sparked a new sense of motivation in him.

By the time he arrived home, it was already late in the evening. Ayame had gone to bed since he’d told her not to wait up. After a quick wash, he lay down and began practicing the chakra-refining technique he’d mastered. Even lying down, he could channel chakra smoothly. Tired but satisfied, he closed his eyes, feeling the progress he’d made from the day’s training.

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The next morning, Masaki was summoned to the guard station, where Sen briefed him and Shisui on their first mission outside the village.

“Today, Rinka and I are taking you two on a mission beyond the village,” Sen explained. “This task is meant to build your courage. Remember, being a shinobi isn’t a game.”

Masaki nodded in understanding, recalling Nagai’s mention of a test. Shisui stood by, listening closely but looking a bit uncertain, realizing what was ahead.

“Gather your shinobi tools and anything else you need. We leave soon,” Setsuna ordered before he and Rinka stepped away.

Masaki quickly checked his gear, making sure his shuriken, kunai, and short sword were clean and ready. This would be his first mission outside the village, and he was eager to prove himself. The two young Uchiha set out, both excited for the chance to experience real shinobi work. As they passed through the gates of Konoha, Masaki took a deep breath of the fresh, open air. There was something thrilling about stepping beyond the village’s borders for the first time—a new sense of freedom. They were on their way to locate and eliminate a bandit group that had been terrorizing nearby villages. According to Rinka, there might be a few rogue shinobi among the bandits, though their abilities were likely no higher than genin level.

“Setsuna and I won’t interfere,” Rinka explained as they walked. “We’re here to observe and evaluate your actions. If we have to step in, it’ll mean you’ve failed the mission.”

Masaki nodded, taking the warning seriously. Shisui seemed a bit anxious but focused, understanding the risks of the mission. The journey took two days. They traveled eastward, finally arriving at a mountainous area on the edge of the Land of Fire. From a ridge, they could see a makeshift camp below—a cluster of tents hastily set up for the bandits’ latest hideout.

“This is your task,” Setsuna said, exchanging a glance with Rinka. Then both of them vanished, concealing themselves to observe from a distance. Masaki and Shisui crouched down, studying the camp. Masaki’s mind raced with possibilities. Shisui scanned the area with narrowed eyes.

“Shisui, what do you see?” Masaki asked.

“There are eleven people visible,” Shisui replied quietly. “But there could be others hiding.”

Masaki nodded. “Let’s get closer and find out.”

Without another word, he moved forward, chakra flowing to his feet as he stepped onto a tree branch, creeping closer to the camp under the cover of the forest. Shisui followed, staying silent and blending into the shadows. The two figures glided through the trees in silence, stopping only when they were about half a mile from the camp.

According to the intelligence, there were rumored to be shinobi among the bandits, though Masaki couldn’t be certain if any were on lookout.

“This is as close as we can get without risking detection,” Masaki murmured, his tone serious. “Our next step is to observe and see if there are any hidden guards or sentries around.” He turned to Shisui.

This mission was dangerous—life and death, with no room for mistakes. After quickly agreeing on which areas to scout, they split up, each taking half of the area to investigate. Masaki moved carefully through his section, scanning the surroundings with a keen eye. The camp was eerily quiet, save for the occasional rustling of leaves. The bandits seemed oblivious to the approaching danger. For over half an hour, he and Shisui gathered intelligence on the area.

It struck Masaki as odd that he didn’t spot any hidden guards or lookouts. Could the bandits be overconfident, or were they hiding their defenses more cleverly than expected? When Shisui regrouped with him, Masaki asked, “Anything?”

Shisui shook his head, his face troubled. “Nothing. No guards. But it could be that the enemy is strong, hiding their presence better than we can detect.”

“Same here,” Masaki replied, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “So, what’s the plan now?”