After training, Feng Zheng's Shadow Clone detonated in just two seconds after deciding to self-destruct.
The efficiency of the explosion, using all of the Shadow Clone's Chakra, also improved.
Each explosion created a crater with a radius of three meters and a depth of ten centimeters.
Renjiro said, "That's enough; don't waste any more of your Chakra."
Feng Zheng nodded, stopping his training.
Renjiro said, "The Shadow Clone Great Explosion Technique is relatively easy to learn.
The difficulty of this Ninjutsu lies in learning the Shadow Clone itself, so don't expect to learn other Rank A Ninjutsu in a single day."
Feng Zheng nodded.
He thought, "Yes, this Ninjutsu is too easy to learn! However, practicing it will be more difficult because it consumes too much Chakra."
Renjiro said, "There's another important aspect: the amount of Chakra you infuse into the Shadow Clone.
During practice, you kept the Shadow Clone's Chakra to a minimum.
But if the Shadow Clone you create has a lot of Chakra, the explosion will be much stronger."
Feng Zheng nodded.
Renjiro continued, "However, don't practice this Ninjutsu for now.
We're leaving for a Rank A Mission the day after tomorrow, so you need to ensure your Chakra reserves are full."
Feng Zheng nodded, thinking, "A Rank A Mission... I wonder if it will be as easy as the last one."
Renjiro said, "I'll also go notify Hodaka and Mieko.
We'll meet outside the Hokage Building at 6 AM the day after tomorrow."
Renjiro was about to Body Flicker away when Feng Zheng said, "Wait, Sensei!"
Renjiro stopped and looked at Feng Zheng.
Feng Zheng asked, "Sensei, is there a Wind Clone self-detonation Ninjutsu, like the Shadow Clone self-detonation Ninjutsu?"
Renjiro nodded, already anticipating what Feng Zheng would ask next.
Feng Zheng continued, "Sensei, can you teach me this Ninjutsu, or give me a scroll to learn it?"
Renjiro smiled and said, "Your reward is only one Rank A Ninjutsu.
If you want that Ninjutsu, we can discuss it after you become a Jonin."
Feng Zheng gave him a blank look.
It was well known that Konoha was very stingy when it came to promoting Chunin to Jonin.
Even someone as powerful as Itachi, who could wipe out the entire Uchiha Clan, was only officially a Chunin when he left the Village!
Therefore, Feng Zheng didn't expect to be promoted to Jonin within a few years.
He complained, "Come on, Sensei, don't be so stingy! My Wind Clone is even better than me at Wind Body Flicker Technique!
And I can imagine the immense destructive power that combining Wind Body Flicker Technique and Wind Clone would cause after self-detonation!"
Renjiro chuckled and said, "I'm not being stingy.
As a Sensei, it's my job to motivate my students.
The Wind Clone Great Explosion Technique is my reward to motivate you to become a Jonin sooner.
So, don't slack off, and become a Jonin as quickly as possible."
With that, he Body Flickered away, giving Feng Zheng no chance to retort.
Seeing his Sensei just run off like that, Feng Zheng was a bit displeased!
He mumbled, "What a trashy excuse!
He could totally teach me this Ninjutsu and then hang an S-rank Ninjutsu as motivation.
Besides, the principle of this Ninjutsu should be similar to the Shadow Clone Great Explosion Technique, so I should be able to create it quickly.
After all, this Ninjutsu doesn't require Hand Seals."
Renjiro smiled after he left.
He thought, "This kid always gets his way when asking for new Ninjutsu or skills.
I have to give him some setbacks, otherwise, he'll start knocking on doors indiscriminately, asking people to teach him skills!"
"However, the strategy he thought of is quite good.
In previous wars, several Sand Ninja used it with great effect.
So much so that every squad going to the Sunagakure front lines had to be accompanied by a Hyuga member who could use Vacuum Palm."
Feng Zheng was low on Chakra, so he left to get some food and then rested for a few days.
While Feng Zheng was training with Renjiro, four Ninja wearing Hidden Mist vests silently entered the Land of Fire.
All four wore masks and had obvious scars, appearing to be on the run.
A few minutes later, six more Ninja in similar attire entered the Land of Fire along the same path as the first four, without alerting anyone.
They also had some injuries, though less severe.
They pursued the group ahead of them.
Ten minutes later, the two groups finally drew very close.
Matsuzaki Zheng, from the second group, was a Sensor Ninja.
He smiled and said, "Kazuki-senpai, I found them! They're about seven hundred meters ahead of us."
Kuriwaki Kazuki smiled and said, "Let's move quickly.
We need to eliminate them and leave.
It will be troublesome if Konoha intervenes."
They nodded and quickened their pace.
After all, they were in enemy territory.
Mino Mayu sensed that Matsuzaki Zheng was also sensing them.
Her expression grew serious.
She said, "Nagaka-sama, they've sensed us, and they're only seven hundred meters away!"
Sakai Nagaka's face became solemn.
She said, "Let's stop for a moment and set up a trap.
We need to make a lot of noise in this battle to attract Konoha's attention.
Once Konoha clashes with those guys, we can escape.
It would be best if Konoha could kill them!"
Her subordinates nodded and began preparing traps.
Soon, six Hidden Mist Ninja from the Mizukage Faction caught up.
They were greeted by dozens of Shuriken and kunai.
However, they successfully dodged and blocked all attacks.
But suddenly, three kunai with Exploding Tags appeared near them.
They quickly dispersed.
Sakai Nagaka Body Flickered in front of an enemy and sprayed scalding steam at him.
The Hidden Mist Ninja cried out and retreated.
He was burned all over!
Even parts of his clothes melted.
Kuriwaki Kazuki and another Jonin quickly attacked Sakai Nagaka.
She merely took a step back, and her team members appeared beside her to help.
The battle erupted!
After a few minutes of stalemate, Sakai Nagaka and her teammates suddenly retreated to a certain spot.
Sakai Nagaka performed several Hand Seals, then blew steam across the entire area!
Kuriwaki Kazuki and the others gathered together and counterattacked with Water Release Ninjutsu.
However, after using Boil Release Ninjutsu, Sakai Nagaka and the others quickly retreated.
Before their opponents could react, the entire area exploded!
Kuriwaki Kazuki was enraged!
He yelled, "Those hateful traitors deployed Exploding Tags all over the place!"
Although the forest was destroyed, Kuriwaki Kazuki and his group were unharmed.
However, they faced two problems.
Their opponents had once again escaped their sight.
And, more importantly, this massive explosion would surely attract Konoha Ninja!
As Kuriwaki Kazuki expected, the huge explosion was detected by a Konoha patrol team five kilometers away!
They immediately reported it to their superiors and rushed to the scene to investigate the explosion.
Two days later, at 5:55 AM, Feng Zheng appeared outside the Hokage Building.
Renjiro, Mieko, and Hodaka were already there.
Mieko was angry.
She asked discontentedly, "Aren't you excited about a Rank A Mission?
Why didn't you come earlier?"
Feng Zheng shrugged and said, "Haven't we already completed one Rank A Mission?
Besides, I'm already early!"
Mieko complained, "Only five minutes early!"
Feng Zheng chuckled and said, "That's enough time for me to defeat you."
This remark infuriated Mieko!
She was about to yell back when Renjiro interrupted, "Alright, no more chitchat, it's time to see the Hokage."
Mieko averted her gaze from Feng Zheng and continued walking.
Feng Zheng looked at her with some disappointment, thinking, "What a pity, no steam comes out of her ears when she's angry, unlike in anime."
The group entered the Hokage Office and greeted Hiruzen.
A Chunin stood in the room, holding a document.
Hiruzen asked the group, "Are you ready for your Rank A Mission?"
The children immediately nodded in affirmation.
Hiruzen smiled and said, "I wish you good luck.
Hatake Takao will explain the details to you."
Hatake Takao, the Chunin in the office, stepped forward and said, "The mission assigned to you has two parts, and each part is a Rank A Mission in itself."
"Two days ago, two groups of Hidden Mist Ninja clashed within our borders.
We dispatched several reconnaissance teams to track them, but couldn't find them.
However, we believe they haven't left the Land of Fire.
The first part of your mission is to find and eliminate or apprehend them."
Takao handed a document from the file to Renjiro, saying, "The clash occurred near our eastern coast, about seventy-five kilometers north of the Land of Waves port.
Blood samples were collected at the site of the clash, so they may be injured.
However, we do not know the identities of these Hidden Mist Ninja."
Renjiro took the document with a puzzled expression.
This was not the mission he had selected for his squad.
Hiruzen said, "There are some border patrols in that area, you can cooperate with them.
If the mission exceeds your level, you can retreat and notify us to send appropriate support."
Renjiro nodded.
He understood these regulations.
Hiruzen's words were directed at the children.
The children also realized this and listened carefully.
Takao continued, "The second part of your mission will take place in the Land of Hot Water.
A dozen rogue Ninja have entered the Land of Hot Water and are causing chaos around Niigata Town in the south.
According to our intelligence, these rogue Ninja are from Hidden Mist.
You will cooperate with the local team to eliminate them."
Renjiro nodded.
This was the mission he had chosen for his students.
Hiruzen added, "The second part of the mission depends on your condition after completing the first part.
If any of you are injured or otherwise unable to continue, you will hand over the mission to Akimichi Seiichi and monitor the border patrols in his place."
Renjiro nodded.
Mieko quickly added, "Hokage-sama, don't worry, we will easily complete both missions."
Hodaka and Feng Zheng nodded in support of her.
After all, undertaking Rank A Missions was invaluable experience for them.
Renjiro looked at his students and said, "Let's go."
The three nodded and followed him out.
