Chapter 47 : Silent Wings
"Where's my cat?"
That was the first thought Ren had as he stepped into the village's mission hall, the morning sun still stretching over Konoha's rooftops. He rubbed his eyes, wondering if he was dreaming.
"Wasn't every genin supposed to chase cats, clean graffiti, or pull weeds? Where's my soul-crushing, dignity-stripping D-rank rite of passage?"
He glanced toward the reception desk, where the same tired lady from yesterday was now smiling sweetly at another genin. "I knew it," he muttered. "She's out to get me."
Ren's inner complaints were short-lived.
"Oi! You the genin they stuck with us?" a voice called from behind.
He turned to find himself suddenly surrounded by three unfamiliar faces.
The first was a tall girl with reddish-brown hair tied in a loose ponytail. She wore the flak jacket of a Chūnin, arms crossed, mouth already set in a frown. This had to be their team leader.
"Kaede," she said simply, with a flick of her head. "Chūnin. I lead, you follow. Don't die."
Ren blinked.
That's it? That's my welcome?
Before he could reply, the girl next to her stepped forward. She had short black hair and curious, alert eyes behind a pair of small glasses.
"I'm Nao. Genin. I guess we're teammates for this mission. Nice to meet you," she said politely, then gave a small bow.
Ren nodded, grateful for at least one person acting like a normal human being.
The third member, a stocky boy with spiky dark hair and a cocky grin, leaned forward and gave Ren a quick once-over. "Tch. You look like you haven't even hit your growth spurt."
"I'm Hiro," he declared, jabbing a thumb at himself. "Hope you can keep up, newbie."
Ren gave a dry smile. "I'll do my best not to get in your way… senpai."
Hiro blinked, then grinned wider. "Heh, I like you."
But then Kaede spoke up again. "Wait. This is your first mission?"
The temperature in the room seemed to drop.
Nao's brows lifted. "As in… first ever?"
Ren scratched the back of his head. "Yeah. Just graduated. Yesterday."
Even Hiro's playful look faltered. "Uh, you sure you're ready for a C-rank, kid? You should be out chasing stray dogs or something."
Ren gave the receptionist a subtle death glare. You traitor.
Kaede rolled her eyes. "Too late now. You're on the roster. If you can't handle it, stay out of the way and don't slow us down."
Her voice wasn't cruel, but it was firm. She turned, flicked her hand over her shoulder. "Move out. We'll talk details on the way."
As the team headed toward the gate, Ren followed in silence, his mind a storm of thoughts.
Cat catching missions, my ass.
Guess I'm really doing this.
---
Kaede stood tall near the mission board, arms crossed over her flak vest. The sunlight caught the reddish tint in her ponytail, and her sharp eyes scanned the three genin standing before her.
"Our mission is to track and retrieve a missing messenger hawk," she said crisply. "It went off-course and hasn't returned. We'll be searching along the northwest forest perimeter. It's not glamorous, but it's important. Understood?"
Ren nodded, standing straight beside the other two. At least it's not cat-catching, he thought. Still, a lost bird? This is what ninja work starts as, huh?
Kaede's eyes flicked to him. "First, I want to know your specialties. Let's make sure we aren't wasting time in the field. You—new guy. Go."
Ren cleared his throat. "I have sharp hearing. I trained it a lot. I can pick up footsteps, movement, sometimes even faint voices if I concentrate."
Kaede nodded slightly, unreadable. "Alright. Next."
Hiro grinned and stepped forward. "I'm Hiro. I'm good at close combat, and I've got decent stamina. I'm still working on chakra control, though."
Nao followed. "Nao. I've been training in chakra sensing and basic genjutsu. I'm not perfect yet, but I can feel movement in the area if I focus."
Kaede took a moment, processing it all. "So we've got ears, fists, and a sensor. Could've been worse."
Then she looked straight at Ren. "Is this your first mission?"
"Yes," he admitted.
She frowned slightly. "Great. That's just what I needed. Don't be a burden."
Ren met her gaze evenly. "I won't."
Hiro gave a small laugh. "Cut him some slack, Kaede. Everyone starts somewhere."
Kaede didn't respond. She simply turned and flicked her ponytail back. "You've got one hour to get your gear and meet me at the gate. Travel light. And don't forget your basics. Dismissed."
---
Ren made his way quickly through the village streets toward his small apartment. As always, it was quiet, tidy, and familiar. On the shelf beside his bed was the standard-issue ninja pouch he received when he became a genin. He pulled it down, strapped it to his thigh, and checked it: kunai, shuriken, bandages, soldier pills, a canteen. Everything in place.
He stared at his reflection in the mirror for a second, then adjusted his forehead protector.
So this is it. First mission. Let's see how bad this really is.
---
An hour later, Ren reached the front gate. Hiro and Nao were already waiting. Kaede leaned against the wooden gate frame, arms crossed, sharp as ever.
"You're not late. Good," she said, pushing off the post. "Let's get moving. We've got ground to cover."
With that, the four of them headed out, footsteps soft against the dirt path, the gates of Konoha closing slowly behind them.
---
The forest beyond Konoha's walls was calm, birds chirping in the treetops, the wind rustling through fresh spring leaves. The trail the four ninja followed was narrow, just wide enough for two to walk side by side.
Ren found himself beside Hiro, with Nao and Kaede slightly ahead. For a while, no one said much.
Kaede suddenly stopped and raised her hand. The group halted immediately.
"We'll be entering the area where the hawk was last tracked," she said. "Keep your senses sharp. Hiro, take point with me. Nao, you stay back and scan for chakra disturbances. Ren—use that sharp hearing of yours. Try to pick up any unnatural movement."
Ren gave a short nod and closed his eyes, allowing his breath to settle. He remembered his training. Focus. Filter the background noise. Trees... wind... birds... footsteps...
He turned his head slightly. A flutter, far left. Could be...
"There's something that way," he pointed. "Could be wings—might be the hawk."
Kaede didn't hesitate. "Good. Let's move."
They headed into the underbrush, pushing past brambles and creeping vines. Sure enough, a few feathers appeared caught in a bush ahead—gray with a black tip.
"That's from the messenger hawk," Nao confirmed, crouching beside the feathers.
Ren looked around. "There's something else... It's too quiet here."
Kaede narrowed her eyes. "You're right. Birds have gone silent."
Then, a rustle. Ren's head snapped toward it. "Movement. Small. Ground level."
Kaede nodded to Hiro. "Be ready."
From a thicket, something darted out—just a squirrel. The tension melted slightly, and Hiro chuckled. "Not exactly a rogue ninja."
But then Ren's ears caught something else—farther away, rhythmic, metallic. "Hold on. I hear something else—chains? Bells?"
Kaede raised a hand. "Spread out. Quietly. Nao, sense anything?"
Nao closed her eyes, focused. "There's a chakra signature. Weak, like an animal's. That might be the hawk."
They crept forward, and soon found the hawk, its leg caught in a trap laid out by a poacher. The metal ring held the bird gently, but firmly.
Kaede scowled. "Idiots setting traps this close to the village..."
The hawk struggled weakly, its message tube still intact.
Ren crouched beside it, softly whispering. "It's okay. We're here to help."
He carefully undid the trap. Kaede knelt beside him and wrapped the bird in a cloth from her pouch.
"Well done, team. Especially you, Ren," she said with a rare note of approval. "You tracked it first."
Ren blinked, surprised by the praise. "Thanks…"
Hiro gave him a friendly nudge. "Looks like you're not a burden after all."
Nao smiled faintly. "Good first mission."
Kaede stood, her expression unreadable as always, but she didn't scold. "Let's head back. Mission complete."
As they walked, Ren felt the warm weight of something simple but rare: acceptance.
So this is what a real team feels like, he thought, letting the breeze carry the weight of nerves off his shoulders.
---
The sun was beginning to set by the time the group returned to Konoha. The sky blazed orange and gold, casting long shadows over the village walls. They delivered the hawk safely to the messenger tower, where a grateful handler bowed repeatedly in thanks.
As they left the tower, Kaede stretched her arms above her head. "Well, that was smoother than expected."
Hiro grinned. "Except for the squirrel ambush."
Nao chuckled quietly, brushing dirt off her skirt. "Good work, everyone."
Kaede's eyes turned to Ren, narrowing slightly as if reconsidering something. "Ren… you've got good hearing, huh?"
Ren blinked in surprise. "Huh?"
Kaede stopped walking, and the others followed suit, glancing between each other.
"You were able to pinpoint the hawk's location before anyone else," she said thoughtfully. "That's an impressive skill. We could use someone with that kind of ability."
Ren's stomach flipped. "You… you're saying I could join your team?"
Kaede nodded. "Yeah. You've got potential. You think you could keep up with us?"
Hiro shot a glance at Nao, who seemed more curious than anything. "Kaede, are you serious? He's still a rookie."
Kaede shrugged nonchalantly. "I know. But hearing that sharp, on the field? It's a useful asset. Especially with missions that require more than just strength."
Nao tilted her head, intrigued. "I don't mind. I think he'll be fine."
Ren stood frozen for a moment, his mind racing. He hadn't expected an invitation like this—especially not from someone like Kaede, who seemed so focused and driven.
"I… I'll try to keep up," Ren finally said, a bit awkwardly.
Kaede smirked. "Good. Let's see if you're worth the gamble."
She turned and began walking again. "We'll check in tomorrow. Meet us at the gates at noon."
Ren stayed behind for a second, still processing the offer. So... I'm actually on a team now? A grin slowly spread across his face, the weight of the mission slowly lifting off his shoulders.
As they parted ways, Ren didn't go straight home. Instead, he climbed up to the quiet rooftop of a nearby building, legs dangling over the edge, watching the last traces of sunlight fade behind the Hokage Monument.
He leaned back on his hands, letting the cool evening breeze wash over him.
My first mission was a success. I didn't freeze up. I didn't get anyone hurt. And now...
He let the thought sit there, staring up at the stars beginning to shine through the darkening sky.
Maybe this is the start of something bigger. I'm not just a rookie anymore.
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