Chapter 54: Chapter 54 Mission Blitz

Riku stood in Shibuki's office, arms crossed and expression firm. The Takigakure leader, known for his calm demeanor, leaned back in his chair, observing the young ninja in front of him. Shibuki was used to dealing with passionate individuals, but Riku's stubbornness was something else entirely.

"I understand your perspective, Riku," Shibuki began, his hands folded on the desk. "But missions, especially in Takigakure, are meant to foster teamwork and build trust. It's rare for shinobi to operate alone unless absolutely necessary."

"I don't need a team," Riku said bluntly. "I work better on my own."

Shibuki sighed. "You've just graduated from the academy. Even the most talented ninja benefit from working with others."

"I'm not like most ninja," Riku replied, his voice calm but resolute. Shiro cawed softly from his shoulder, as if agreeing.

Shibuki regarded him for a long moment. "It's not just about your skills. It's about forming bonds, ensuring the safety of our missions, and—"

"I'm not interested in babysitting," Riku interrupted. "I'll get the job done, no matter what it takes. You need results, not a popularity contest."

Shibuki raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed with the dismissive tone. After a pause, he leaned forward. "Fine. You want to prove yourself? I'll assign you a set of solo missions. Low-rank ones. We'll see how you handle them."

"Works for me," Riku said, his voice even.

Shibuki slid a stack of scrolls across the desk. "These are D-rank missions. Don't underestimate them. They may be simple, but they're a vital part of maintaining the village."

Riku glanced at the scrolls, then picked them up. Without another word, he turned and left the office, Shiro fluttering to keep his balance as Riku moved.

---

Riku scanned the scrolls in his hands as he walked through the village streets. Each one detailed mundane tasks: pulling weeds from the fields, delivering supplies, assisting an elderly couple with repairs, and capturing a stray cat.

"D-rank missions, huh?" he muttered to himself. Shiro tilted his head, as if questioning his thoughts.

"These are the kinds of missions they think I need?" Riku said, his tone skeptical. He rolled his shoulders, a faint smirk forming on his lips. "Fine. Let's see how quickly I can knock these out."

He stopped in a quiet alley, placed the scrolls on the ground, and formed a hand seal. "Shadow Clone Jutsu."

In an instant, five identical copies of Riku appeared, each with Shiro's clones perched on their shoulders. Without needing instructions, the clones picked up the scrolls and scattered across the village, heading to their assigned tasks.

---

Over the course of the day, Riku's clones tackled each mission with swift efficiency:

- **Weed Pulling:** One clone crouched in a field, yanking stubborn weeds from the soil at lightning speed. Within minutes, the once-overgrown patch was pristine.

- **Supply Delivery:** Another clone darted through the village, leaping across rooftops to deliver goods. By the time the recipient opened their door, the package was already waiting for them.

- **Repairs:** A third clone hammered and nailed with surprising skill, fixing a rickety fence for an elderly couple. The old man's amazed thanks echoed as the clone disappeared in a puff of smoke.

- **Cat Capture:** A fourth clone cornered the elusive feline after a brief chase, holding it up triumphantly before delivering it back to its owner.

---

By late afternoon, all the scrolls were completed, and Riku dismissed his last clone, absorbing its memories. He smirked, walking back toward Shibuki's office with Shiro perched proudly on his shoulder.

—

Shibuki looked up as Riku entered, a mix of curiosity and disbelief on his face. "You're back already?"

"All done," Riku said, tossing the stack of completed scrolls onto the desk.

Shibuki opened one, his eyes scanning the details. "This… was supposed to take you at least a few days."

Riku shrugged. "I have my methods."

Shibuki closed the scroll, his expression thoughtful. "You used shadow clones."

Riku didn't deny it. "If the goal is efficiency, why wouldn't I?"

The leader leaned back, regarding the boy in front of him. "You've proven your point. But remember, there's more to being a ninja than just completing tasks quickly. The bonds you make, the lessons you learn from others—those are what shape a shinobi."

Riku didn't respond, his eyes calm but unreadable.

Shibuki sighed. "For now, I'll allow you to continue taking solo missions. But don't forget what I've said, Riku. No one fights alone forever."

Riku nodded slightly, turning to leave. As he walked out into the fading light of the evening, he muttered under his breath, "We'll see about that."

Shiro cawed softly in agreement.

Riku's reputation in Takigakure grew steadily as he continued to tackle missions with unrelenting efficiency. After his initial wave of D-rank tasks, he had quickly moved up to C-rank missions. His no-nonsense approach and ability to handle challenges alone began to catch the attention of the village elders and even Shibuki himself.

Despite his disdain for teamwork, Riku had become a vital asset to Takigakure.

---

**C-Rank Mission: Escort and Protect**

Riku's first foray into C-rank territory had been deceptively simple on paper: escort a merchant caravan through a winding forest path. What the mission didn't specify was the frequency of bandit activity in the area.

Riku walked ahead of the caravan, his dark cloak fluttering slightly with the breeze. Shiro perched on his shoulder, eyes scanning the dense foliage for any sign of danger.

The ambush came swiftly—a group of bandits leaping from the trees with crude weapons and bloodlust in their eyes.

"Leave the cargo and go," one of them growled.

Riku didn't reply. Instead, he raised his hand and formed a single hand seal. "Shadow Clone Jutsu."

Three clones appeared, each taking a defensive position around the caravan. The real Riku drew a kunai, his calm demeanor unshaken.

The bandits charged. Within moments, the clearing was filled with the sounds of clashing steel and cries of pain. Riku moved like a shadow, his clones mirroring his movements perfectly. Shiro dove from his shoulder, shifting into a swarm of magpies that disoriented and overwhelmed the attackers.

By the time the last bandit fell unconscious, the merchant stared at Riku in awe. "You… you took them all down without breaking a sweat."

Riku simply shrugged. "It's done. Let's keep moving."

---

B-Rank Mission: Eliminate the Rogue Ninja

When Shibuki handed him his first B-rank mission scroll, Riku raised an eyebrow but said nothing. The task was simple: eliminate a rogue ninja who had been raiding supply lines near the outskirts of the Land of Waterfalls.

Riku set out immediately, Shiro flying overhead as his silent scout.

The rogue ninja was more skilled than Riku had anticipated. When they finally faced off, the enemy wielded a pair of chakra-enhanced blades that hummed with energy.

"Think you can take me down, kid?" the rogue sneered.

Riku said nothing, but his body shifted as scales of Kokuenryū began to coat his arms and legs.

The rogue attacked first, his movements swift and deadly. Riku dodged effortlessly, his enhanced body granting him speed and resilience far beyond that of a normal shinobi. He countered with a series of taijutsu strikes, his fists glowing faintly with white sparks.

The fight escalated quickly, and the rogue unleashed a jutsu that created a vortex of wind blades. Riku responded with his own:

"Shadow Submersion - Bind."

The rogues shadow transformed into a mass of hands that held the rogue, binding him in place. Riku appeared behind him in an instant, his kunai pressed against the enemy's neck.

"Yield," Riku said coldly.

The rogue trembled, his chakra reserves nearly depleted. "Fine… I surrender."

Riku knocked him unconscious and carried him back to the village, completing the mission with precision and minimal damage.

Riku's name became synonymous with efficiency in Takigakure. It was no surprise when Shibuki handed him more missions—more dangerous and challenging than the last. He completed them all with an almost mechanical precision, his quiet determination leaving his peers in awe and his superiors impressed.

Riku's mornings started early. By the time the sun rose over Takigakure, he was already preparing for the day's missions. Shiro, perched loyally on his shoulder, mirrored his focus.

---

C-Rank Mission: Retrieve the Stolen Plans

The mission took Riku deep into a bandit-infested forest. A group of mercenaries had stolen strategic plans from the Takigakure military, and it was Riku's job to retrieve them.

Riku crouched on a high branch, his sharp eyes following the movement of guards patrolling the bandits' camp. Shiro flitted from tree to tree, blending into the darkness like a shadow.

Without a single hand seal, Riku summoned three shadow clones. The clones moved silently, each taking a strategic position around the camp.

"Shiro, now."

At his command, Shiro split into a swarm of magpies, scattering the guards in panic. The clones took advantage of the distraction, swiftly neutralizing the mercenaries one by one.

The real Riku slipped into the main tent, retrieved the stolen plans, and vanished into the forest before anyone even knew what had happened.

---

B-Rank Mission: Investigate the Missing Ninja

This mission sent Riku to a remote village that had reported strange disappearances of their ninja. Upon arriving, Riku discovered a sinister truth: a rogue shinobi was abducting villagers to experiment with forbidden jutsu.

Riku entered the enemy's lair alone, his senses heightened. The rogue shinobi—a tall, pale man with unnerving eyes—greeted him with a slow clap.

"Another lamb to the slaughter," the rogue sneered.

"Let's get this over with," Riku replied, his voice devoid of emotion.

The battle was intense. The rogue unleashed wave after wave of experimental jutsu, creating clones of himself made from shadowy tendrils. Riku countered with his own jutsu, expertly maneuvering around the attacks and exploiting the rogue's overconfidence.

As the scales of Kokuenryū coated his body, Riku charged forward, breaking through the rogue's defenses with a series of powerful strikes. The battle ended with Riku pinning the rogue to the ground, odachi at his throat.

"You're coming back with me."

---

High-Stakes Mission: Bounty Hunt

Riku's next mission was a personal request from Shibuki himself. A rogue ninja with a significant bounty on his head had been spotted near the border. The task was simple: capture or eliminate the target.

Riku tracked the rogue to a small mountain cave. The enemy, a burly man with a massive sword, greeted Riku with a booming laugh.

"You? A kid? They sent you after me?"

Riku didn't bother with a reply. His eyes glowed white, summoning Shiro, who immediately split into a swarm and engulfed the rogue in shadows.

The fight was brutal. The rogue's swordsmanship was impressive, but Riku's agility and precision kept him one step ahead. The battle ended with Riku disarming the rogue and delivering a swift, calculated blow to knock him out.

---

A Routine Day for Riku

By the end of the week, Riku had completed a staggering number of missions. His efficiency and skill were unmatched, earning him a reputation as one of Takigakure's rising stars.

Despite his success, Riku remained distant. He spent his downtime in solitude, often tinkering with his gear or training with Shiro. The quiet moments were brief, as another mission always awaited him.

---

Late-Night Reflection

One night, as Riku sat by the village waterfall, he allowed himself a moment of reflection. Shiro perched beside him, the two of them watching the moonlight dance on the water's surface.

"We've come far," Riku murmured, his voice barely audible over the sound of rushing water. "But it's not enough. Not yet."

Shiro cawed softly, as if to reassure him.

Riku clenched his fists. The missions were just a stepping stone—a way to prepare himself for the greater challenges that lay ahead. For now, he would continue pushing himself, taking on any task Takigakure threw his way.

The road ahead was long, but Riku was ready for whatever came next.