Under the bright Gekko, several shadowy figures flashed through the forest.
“Hurry up!”
A muffled voice emerged from beneath the white animal-mimicking masks. These dark figures, moving through the forest, were entirely cloaked in black capes and windbreakers. The occasional gust of wind would lift their capes, revealing the combat bodysuits and white suspender shirts underneath.
The Anbu Ninja, led by Naraku Shihouin, swiftly moved through the forest, taking advantage of the bright night to travel.
They had already crossed the Land of Fire border and entered Bird Country, not far from the designated rendezvous point.
...
Whoosh—
A gentle breeze swept across the clear lake, creating ripples that slowly spread out.
The morning sunlight fell, awakening the silent forest that had slept all night, and the sounds of insects and birds began to rise.
“Swish, swish, swish…”
Several figures appeared in a secluded spot in the forest.
“Lord Dragon!”
“Hm!”
Aside from the Ninja on perimeter duty, Naraku Shihouin and his Anbu members had already arrived in the forest ten kilometers from the mission location, awaiting the opportune moment.
“Lord, after investigation, we found three Ninja on alert in that forest. The areas further out have not yet been fully cleared, and the Bird Country capital has a large population, making the search very difficult.”
This was also why they had to meet in the forest. Although the capital of Bird Country was not large, it was densely populated and overly chaotic, making it prone to unexpected situations.
“Maintain vigilance and rest according to the schedule, but also keep a constant eye on the mission location’s movements. Our intelligence isn’t necessarily 100% accurate…”
Anbu missions abroad have their own steps and procedures. As long as they follow the standard, it’s fine, unless an unexpected situation arises that requires a change.
However, these dangerous assassination missions still require the Ninja to adapt flexibly.
Naraku Shihouin had also carried out many combat and assassination missions, so he was very familiar with this process. After giving simple instructions, he arranged for the remaining people to rest.
Naraku himself then approached the mission location to survey the surrounding environment.
He had to be fully aware of the situation so that he could react if an unexpected situation occurred during the battle.
After completing his survey, he returned to the hidden temporary base to rest.
...
The moon hung high in the night sky.
From time to time, an animal's cry echoed through the quiet forest.
Swish!
Several figures appeared silently in a relatively open grassy area in the forest.
The environment here was clear at a glance, allowing them to see all surrounding positions and prevent enemy sneak attacks.
The suddenly appearing figures stood silently in place, alert to their surroundings while waiting.
Time passed bit by bit, and just as the group grew impatient, a rustling sound finally emerged from the forest opposite them.
The few people standing in place immediately watched with full attention and vigilance, some already reaching for their Ninja tools.
Soon, figures leaped out from the forest.
Seeing the Hidden Sand Village forehead protectors worn by the leading figures opposite them, these few people felt a little relieved.
Looking at the Hidden Sand Village team that had landed not far away, the earlier arrivals were somewhat displeased.
“Why are you so late? The agreed-upon time is almost up.”
“You Iwagakure Ninja are always so rigid! It’s not even the agreed time yet.”
“Less talk, let’s exchange intelligence first.”
After a few verbal skirmishes between the Hidden Sand Village and Iwagakure, the leading Ninja from both sides pulled out the scrolls they had prepared long ago.
“Throw them together!”
“Okay!”
As the words fell, both leaders simultaneously threw the scrolls in their hands to the other and caught them at the same time.
Concerned about deception, both immediately opened their scrolls and began to examine them.
In this situation, it was impossible to meticulously review all the intelligence, but it was enough to confirm that there were no major issues.
“No problem!”
“The Iwagakure people are very well-behaved this time.”
The words of the two leaders were also directed at their subordinates, meaning that the other party had not resorted to tricks this time.
The successful exchange of intelligence allowed both sides of Ninja to relax a little.
Next was the exchange of supplies, which was the most important part.
Both sides directly took out a huge scroll, which was specifically used to store supplies.
The scrolls generally used by Ninja to store weapons or other items cannot hold too many things. Only scrolls specifically designed to store large quantities of supplies are suitable, and these scrolls are very expensive.
Ordinary Ninja cannot afford to use them, nor is there any need to.
This time, the Hidden Sand Village and Iwagakure could not just throw the scrolls for exchange; one Ninja from each side had to physically exchange them.
At this moment, both sides quietly reached for the weapons in their pockets, guarding against any trouble from the enemy.
But just as both sides focused their attention on the other—
“Fire Fist!!!”
In the dark, silent forest, a huge roar suddenly erupted!
Boom!!!
Blazing, monstrous flames suddenly appeared, and amidst a frantic roar, they transformed into an enormous flaming fist, gushing forth instantly.
Even before it reached them, the scorching heat was already close, making all the Hidden Sand Village and Iwagakure members' faces change drastically.
“Wind Release: Violent Air Currents!”
Two Hidden Sand Village Ninja quickly stepped forward, forming hand signs rapidly. The originally very basic and almost harmless Wind Release was unleashed, and with their combined effort, an extremely chaotic gale swept towards the flames.
The Hidden Sand Village Ninja wanted to blow the sudden Fire Release back!
But clearly, everyone underestimated the destructive power of the flames.
The strong wind not only failed to blow the flames away but instantly boosted their power, making them even stronger!
“Earth Release: Earth Flow Rampart!”
There was no time to blame the Hidden Sand Village Ninja for their cleverness. Three Iwagakure Ninja combined their efforts and released an extremely wide and thick wall, blocking the flaming fist.
“Rumble!!!”
The colossal explosion completely overturned the formerly silent forest. The fist formed by flames instantly shattered all the walls, and the terrifying impact directly struck the Ninja from both sides who hadn't had time to escape.
“Ah—”
Continuous screams rang out…
“Damn it! Who attacked us?”
Looking at the raging, monstrous flames, the Ninja from both sides who had escaped in the nick of time exchanged wary glances, then turned and ran.
“Swish, swish, swish…”
Before the Ninja could even wipe the blood from their foreheads, a large number of projectiles shot at them from the front.
Instantly, Ninja who couldn't dodge in time were riddled with projectiles like porcupines, losing their lives in a flash.
“Bastards!”
They hadn't even seen the enemy's figures, yet they were almost completely annihilated.
But before the remaining Ninja could rejoice, having dodged the projectile ambush, they now horrifyingly discovered that the exploding tags tied to the projectiles were burning.
“Boom! Boom! Boom!”
Loud explosions rang out again.
Fiercely burning flames soared into the sky, debris flew everywhere, and thick smoke and dust billowed out.
“Cough, cough, cough…”
“Someone’s still alive?”
Swish!
The Konoha Anbu Ninja who launched the surprise attack finally appeared. They stood on tall trees, looking down at the still-unsettled explosion.
“Pfft!”
The sound of a blade piercing flesh rang out. The eyes of a Konoha Anbu under his mask, standing on a tall tree, suddenly bulged. Behind him, a Hidden Sand Village Ninja, who had appeared unnoticed, was gripping a katana.
“Don’t underestimate our Hidden Sand Village!”
With a bang, the Konoha Anbu, whose body had been pierced by the katana, suddenly transformed into a log.
Substitution Technique!