Please do not come too close to me.

Beep.
In the camp, flames flickered and quickly grew strong, driving away the bitter cold.
Everyone sat around the fire, taking out their food and lunch boxes to warm them over the flames, savoring steaming dinners.
Not far away, Kisame hugged his ninja sword, leaning against a tree, ever vigilant against any potential danger.
“Kisame, come join us for dinner,”
At that moment, Sakura Yuki trotted over, smiling as she invited Kisame.
She was concerned for him, for Kisame was clearly the strongest among the ninja squad, and the greatest assurance for the snow village merchant caravan’s safe return.
“I’ve already eaten,”
Kisame glanced at her calmly. “Return to my companions; they’ll protect you. Also, don’t get too close to me. I have no interest in befriending our employer.”
Sakura Yuki was stunned at his words, then silently turned and walked away.
Kisame tilted his head, gazing at the snowy night sky.
Today was February 26th, Year 45 of Konoha. Nearly half a year had passed since he arrived in this world.
Next month, Kisame would celebrate his thirteenth birthday.
He recalled the plot in his mind, organizing clues and planning future actions with foresight.
The night passed without incident.
The next day, the snow had stopped, and the warm winter sun shone upon the earth.
Taking advantage of the fine weather, the caravan departed early, crossing a mountain.
Since leaving Kirigakure, most of the journey was behind them. Everyone traveled smoothly, encountering almost no surprises.
Thus, laughter and light conversation filled the air, everyone relaxed.
But just then, disaster struck.
As they reached halfway up the mountain, a series of deafening crashes erupted overhead.
Boom!
Several huge boulders tumbled from the cliff above, hurtling straight toward the caravan.
“Watch out!” Mei Terumi shouted, quickly pulling Sakura Yuki aside.
Kisame lifted a villager in one hand, helping them dodge the falling rocks. Then, kicking a boulder aside, he saved two more lives.
“Enemies ahead!”
Ringo Ameyuri called out from the front, but she was more excited than frightened.
Indeed, two ninja ambushers burst from the roadside, launching a volley of shuriken at the group.

Ameyuri grabbed her kunai and charged forward. With a series of metallic clangs, she deflected all the shuriken, then launched a fierce attack against the two enemies.
“Kisame, protect these villagers,”
Mei Terumi instructed, quickly forming hand seals to summon a water whip, joining the battle.
Kisame obeyed Mei’s orders, keeping watch for other possible enemies while stealing a glance at Sakura Yuki.
Her expression was off, as if she had anticipated the attack.
The skirmish didn’t last long.
Both attackers were Chunin, but for prodigies like Mei Terumi and Ringo Ameyuri, mere Chunin posed no real threat.
Smack!
Mei seized the opportunity, striking the enemy’s weapon with her water whip, then ensnaring their body.
Water Style: Water Whip—not only powerful, but also able to bind foes—a formidable, versatile water-style jutsu.
“Ameyuri!”
Once Mei had restrained the enemy, she called out.
Ameyuri understood, immediately using her signature Lightning Style, sending dazzling currents down the water whip to the enemy, electrocuting them instantly.
The other enemy, seeing the situation, tried to flee.
He had barely taken a few steps when Ameyuri finished another set of seals, summoning a bolt of lightning from the sky. It struck him directly, sending him screaming off the cliff.
After dispatching the two attackers cleanly, Mei and Ameyuri exchanged smiles.
“Amazing.”
Sakura Yuki’s eyes shone as she witnessed the scene, viewing the two girls with renewed respect.
If it’s them, perhaps…the snow village might be saved.
She was filled with hope, when Kisame’s cold voice sounded in her ear.
“Were these two ninja targeting you? You must know, this isn’t within the scope of a C-rank mission.”
His voice was icy, questioning Sakura Yuki again.
“I…I don’t know them.”
Sakura Yuki’s face changed, instinctively defending herself and insisting the attackers were bandits or rogue ninja.
The Land of Water was plagued by constant civil strife, with many ninja wandering about, committing robbery and mayhem.
“How boring. These enemies were too weak. Not even worth fighting. If only more had come.”
Ameyuri swaggered over, boasting, clearly not satisfied.
Mei Terumi had overheard Kisame and Sakura Yuki’s conversation.

She fixed her gaze on Sakura Yuki, who looked to her for help.
Mei’s heart softened, and she said to Kisame and Ameyuri,
“Though unexpected enemies appeared, these villagers are honest and good people. Let’s keep our promise and see them home safely.”
She had noticed something unusual too, but didn’t want to abandon the mission so easily.
After all, the late village chief of the snow village was an old friend of Elder Genshiro. Genshiro had entrusted this mission to her, so Mei was determined to complete it.
After a brief rest, the group set out again.
On the way, Mei Terumi approached Kisame and whispered,
“Sakura Yuki may be strapped for cash, unable to afford a B-rank mission’s fee, so she issued a C-rank one instead. But even if this were a B-rank mission, Ameyuri and I could handle it. Don’t worry.”
“Let’s hope so.”
…
Another day passed.
“Just one more mountain and we’ll reach the snow village. Our village has steaming hot springs—you can enjoy a wonderful soak!”
Sakura Yuki said to the three.
Just then, the howl of wolves echoed from the surroundings.
“Awooo.”
A pack of wild, emaciated wolves charged down from the mountain, surrounding the group.
“As expected, beasts have come down from the hills in search of food.”
Mei Terumi eyed the wolves, brandishing her water whip again. Without ninja protection, the ordinary villagers of the snow village would surely have been devoured.
After a fierce but brief battle,
Most of the wolves lay dead or wounded, and the survivors fled with their tails between their legs.
But just as everyone finally relaxed, ready to rest, sudden calamity struck.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
A rainstorm of shuriken flew from the forest ahead, showering the group.
In an instant, only the three ninja and the well-guarded Sakura Yuki survived; the other villagers fell beneath the deadly hail.
And the true crisis had only just begun.