Team 3 infiltrated the bandit hideout. The entrance itself was a dark, gaping maw leading into the depths of the earth. The narrow opening revealed a tunnel that stretched deeper into the hillside, shrouded in shadows. The walls of the tunnel were rough and uneven, evidence of the mine's long abandonment. Dim beams of natural light filtered through cracks in the rocky ceiling, casting sporadic patches of illumination on the uneven floor. The air within the tunnel was damp and musty, carrying the scent of damp earth and minerals. The sound of dripping water echoed softly, creating a rhythmic backdrop to the quiet atmosphere. Faint echoes of the bandits' conversations could be heard from deeper within, hinting at their presence further down the tunnel.

  As Team 3 advanced into the mine, the darkness gradually enveloped them, and their steps echoed against the walls. The tunnel curved and twisted unpredictably, occasionally opening into larger chambers that seemed to branch off in various directions. The deeper they ventured, the colder and more oppressive the atmosphere became, like the weight of history pressing down upon them. The interior of the mine was illuminated by faint torchlight, revealing wooden support beams that held up the walls and ceiling. Abandoned mining equipment, rusted and covered in dust, lay scattered about. The tunnel occasionally widened into small pockets, where crates and stolen goods were haphazardly stacked.

  As they progressed, Team 3 eventually came upon a larger chamber that seemed to serve as a makeshift camp for the bandits. Tattered blankets were spread out on the ground, along with crates of supplies and provisions. The flickering torches cast eerie shadows across the chamber's walls, adding to the sense of unease. The scent of smoke wafted through the air, hinting at a makeshift cooking area where a large cauldron hung over an open flame. Wooden tables were scattered with scattered maps, crude weapons, and other tools of the bandits' trade.

  The atmosphere was tense as Team Guy quietly infiltrated deeper and deeper into the mine. The sound of footsteps and hushed voices echoed faintly from a passage that led deeper into the mine. Guy-sensei eventually caught up after finishing off the shinobi outside. “They’re just up ahead.” Neji quietly informed them.

  “Are you all ready?” Guy-sensei asked.

  The three nodded, and Guy-sensei took the lead. Team 3 rushed into the large open area within the mine where the bandits were relaxing. Lee sped toward the nearest bandit, uppercutting them off the ground with his fist, and spin-kicking them toward another bandit. Both were sent flying into the wall just as Lee copied one of Guy-sensei’s moves. “Dynamic Entry!” His foot crashed against both criminals who preyed on the weak and innocent. They dropped to the ground with signs of life still in them.

  Lee heard multiple hearts stop from both directions before turning his head to look around. Neji was now actively killing the bandits. Guy-sensei held nothing back either, as he mostly dropped them all in one hit as well. Tenten… Tenten!?

  Tenten was visibly shaking as she held a bloodied kunai in her hands. A bandit fell to the ground in front of her while there was another bandit behind her sneaking to chop her down with his sword! Lee grabbed a rock and tossed it with as much force as possible toward the bandit before running over to Tenten. His rock smashed against the bandit’s hand, which caused him to cry out and drop his sword.

  Lee’s teammate still couldn’t shake herself out of her funk, but thankfully it didn’t matter at this point. Lee hopped into the air and performed a spinning back kick to the bandit’s jaw. He could physically feel his foot breaking the man’s jaw as he was knocked off his feet. With his senses alert, he dropped down near Tenten and protected her.

  His fist and feet flew like a whirlwind of pain. His weights may have weighed him down, but there was a substantial difference between a taijutsu specialist’s body and the body of a bandit. One that couldn’t be overcome by age or size.

  Hard work, healthy eating, and shinobi training! Some particularly gifted academy students could easily handle bandits even without Lee’s particular strength or speed. The clone jutsu, transformation jutsu, and substitution jutsu shouldn’t be ignored! Lee should know it was because of the substitution jutsu that Neji defeated him back then when he was at his closest to defeating him.

  Stolen story; please report.

  It was only when all of the bandits were taken down or killed that Lee had the chance to get Tenten out of her funk. “Tenten!” Lee clapped her cheeks hard enough to sting them red, forcing her to look into his eyes. “You’re a strong kunoichi. Just like the legendary Lady Tsunade!” He smiled at her.

  “Like… Lady Tsunade?” Tenten muttered.

  “You’re going to become even better than Lady Tsunade! Right, Tenten?!” Lee asked, forcing her to focus on something else.

  “I… I…”

  “Right, Tenten?!” Lee shouted.

  “Right!” Color returned to her eyes. “I’m going to surpass the legendary Lady Tsunade! Even if I can’t use medical ninjutsu or monstrous strength!” She shouted.

  “I believe in you, Tenten. Now let’s go.” Lee grinned at his teammate, finding her courage.

  “Pathetic…” A slightly bloodied Neji crossed his arms while looking at them.

  “Lee, good job looking out for your teammate. Neji, well done thinning out their numbers to help your teammates face less danger. Tenten, great job working past your fears and coming out stronger because of it. I’m so proud of all of you.” Might Guy gave them all a big bright smile.

  “Thank you, sensei!” Lee clenched his fist in pride.

  “Thank you, sensei. I’m sorry I let something like that happen to me. It won’t happen again!” Tenten promised. She couldn’t become greater than the Legendary Tsunade if she couldn’t get over something like this.

  “...” Neji simply nodded.

  “Let’s go report the success of our mission and get on home, huh?” Guy suggested.

  “Yes, sensei.” Lee and Tenten responded.

  Team 3 left the bandit hideout in the abandoned mine and made their way to Kisaragi village. Lee took a closer look at the small village they were sent to help out. It was unlike Konoha in almost every way but, at the same time, reminded him of home. He didn’t know how to explain it.

  Kisaragi had a collection of modest cottages, their thatched roofs weathered by the passage of time and the touch of seasons. A meandering dirt path connected these homes, threading them together in a pattern that felt natural. These cottages bore the warmth of homes well-lived in. The villagers were engaged in their tasks with unwavering determination etched into the lines of their weathered faces. The fields that stretched around the village swayed in the wind, where calloused hands sowed seeds and reaped modest harvests. Scarecrows stood sentinel, their tattered forms bearing witness to the tireless efforts of those who toiled under the sun's watchful gaze.

  At the heart of the village, a simple marketplace thrived, its stalls laden with the essentials of life. Bundles of firewood leaned against weathered carts while artisans displayed their humble creations with quiet pride. The air was alive with the cadence of merchants' voices, and each calls a testament to their dedication to living as well as they could. The village's communal spirit gathered at a timeworn well, where generations had drawn life-sustaining water. Here, conversations flowed as freely as the water, mingling laughter and shared concerns.

  Kisaragi's spiritual center was a small shrine, its weathered walls steeped in the history of devotion. Here, amid the flicker of candles and the scent of incense, the villagers sought solace and guidance, placing their faith in a power greater than their own. Simple tokens of gratitude adorned the shrine showing that even in times of hardship, there was room for hope. Amidst the village's simplicity, its children painted the streets with the vibrant strokes of their games and laughter. In the dusty lanes, sticks became swords, and pebbles were transformed into shuriken. The children's world was one of boundless possibility, a reflection of the resilience that coursed through the village's veins.

  …

  [Achievement unlocked: First C-rank mission completed! Reward obtained: Muscle Mimicry]

  “You okay, Tenten?” Lee caught up with her after they were dismissed.

  “Yeah, I’m fine, Lee. Thanks for the help back then.” Tenten answered.

  “Don’t let Neji’s words get to you. We all have our moments of weakness. It’s okay to express them, but I don’t think anyone told him that message yet.” Lee chuckled while playfully jabbing his elbow at her.

  “Yeah, he’s harsh, but he was right. It was pathetic of me to freeze up like that. How could I even dream about surpassing Lady Tsunade with the way I am right now?” Tenten clenched her fist. “Sorry, Lee. I gotta go home and work on my summoning jutsu. But thanks a lot.”

  “You can do it, Tenten! The Power of Youth is invincible!” Lee loudly shouted as she ran off.