Sakumo looked over the three of them, his expression calm but serious. "I chose these locations because I believe in each of your talents," he began, his voice steady. "Each of you will handle a base. You'll surveil, plan, and execute the assault on your own. We'll be standing by for assistance if needed, but I trust you to handle this."
He turned to Shisui first. "You're up. Go scout the area and report back."
Shisui nodded, his calm, professional demeanor honed by his time in ANBU missions. Without a word, he flickered into the shadows, his movements swift and silent as he left the team to conduct his surveillance. The abandoned mine where the bandits had holed up was not far, but Shisui approached with caution, his one-tomoe Sharingan activated and scanning the surroundings with precision. He moved from vantage point to vantage point, carefully mapping out the bandits' positions.
After a thorough assessment, Shisui returned to the team, his expression calm as always. He gave his report with the efficiency of someone used to relaying crucial information on covert missions. "Sakumo-sensei, the hideout is an abandoned mine. I counted twelve to fifteen hostiles. They've set up a basic defense at the entrance, but there are no visible traps. Most of them seem to be inside the mine."
Sakumo nodded, taking in the information. "Good. Proceed with the assault when ready. We'll be standing by if you need backup."
Shisui didn't hesitate. His training in ANBU had prepared him for missions like this—stealth, precision, and efficiency were all second nature to him. He left the team once again, this time with a clear objective in mind: neutralize the threat.
As Shisui approached the mine, he activated his Body Flicker Jutsu, becoming a blur of movement as he darted through the trees. His one-tomoe Sharingan tracked every movement of the bandits, giving him a distinct advantage. The first bandit guarding the entrance didn't even see him coming. In one swift motion, Shuisi's shuriken flew through the air, embedding itself in the guard's throat. He dropped without a sound.
Shisui wasted no time, flickering behind the next set of guards positioned near a campfire. They never had a chance. Two more shuriken flew, precise and deadly, striking both bandits down in an instant.
Four down. Eleven to go.
Shisui moved deeper into the mine, his footsteps silent, his presence undetectable. As he came across a group of three bandits near the entrance to one of the deeper shafts, he decided to take a different approach. With a subtle hand sign, he cast a genjutsu, trapping the bandits in an illusion. They stood frozen, completely unaware of their surroundings as Shuisi moved in. A flick of his wrist sent three shuriken flying, each one finding its mark.
Nine down.
Shisui continued his assault, using his Body Flicker Jutsu and the precision of his Sharingan to eliminate the remaining bandits with deadly efficiency. He was a shadow, moving through the mine with the same grace and skill that had made him an asset in ANBU.
By the time he reached the final group of bandits, they were on high alert, but they didn't know where the threat was coming from. Shuisi flickered once more, appearing in the middle of their group. With a final flurry of shuriken and genjutsu, he neutralized the last of the threats.
Fifteen down.
Shisui stood at the center of the now-silent mine, his chest rising and falling in steady breaths. The mission was complete. He activated his earpiece, speaking calmly, "All targets neutralized.
Shisui reappeared in a blur, his movements silent as ever as he joined the rest of the team. The mine had fallen silent behind him, the bandits neutralized with swift precision. He gave a brief nod to Sakumo, signaling that the mission was complete.
Sakumo Hatake regarded him with a calm, steady gaze before offering a slight nod in return. "Well done, Shisui" he said, his voice measured. "You handled that with efficiency and precision. No wasted movement, no unnecessary risks. You used your strengths well—your speed, your Sharingan, and your ANBU experience to neutralize a threat much larger in number without alerting the others. Exactly what I expected from you."
Shisui stood, silent and calm as ever, but there was a flicker of pride in his eyes at Sakumo's words. He knew praise from the White Fang wasn't given lightly.
Sakumo continued, "Your use of genjutsu and the Body Flicker Jutsu was clean. You picked the right moments to strike and created opportunities where there could have been danger. There was no hesitation. That's important. You understood the mission and executed it without drawing unnecessary attention. For the most part, your plan was flawless."
He paused for a moment, studying Shisui's expression before adding, "However, remember that even in a perfect execution, vigilance must be constant. Never assume the enemy is entirely unaware. Maintain awareness until you're certain the mission is over. That is the only critique I have."
Shisui absorbed the feedback, nodding in acknowledgment. "Understood, Sakumo-sensei."
Sakumo gave a final nod of approval. "Keep this up, and you'll continue to be a vital asset to the team.