Several hours ago.
After having breakfast, the four members of Might Guy's Team and Gaara set off from the cave, following their previous agreement with Kakashi, and took a different route to the Land of Rivers.
Throughout the journey, Baki's brow remained furrowed.
He always felt that Kakashi's arrangement was somewhat inappropriate.
During his time as a prisoner of war in Konoha, Baki learned about Naruto and Hinata from Gaara and Temari.
Naruto is the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki of Konoha this generation, but he is currently unable to control the Nine-Tails' power.
Hinata is the heir to the Hyuga Main Family and possesses Dojutsu power far exceeding that of other members of the clan.
Through the Dojutsu power of her Byakugan, Hinata can see the Nine-Tails inside Naruto and makes a pact with Nine-Tails, allowing her to borrow Nine-Tails Chakra to fight.
Gaara was previously defeated by the power of the Nine-Tails.
At first, although Baki knew that the trip was fraught with danger, he was not too worried.
Baki was well aware of Kakashi and Might Guy's strength.
With Hinata and Naruto's cooperation, an average lineup simply couldn't take down this escort team.
Moreover, Baki himself is not weak, and Gaara is the strongest weapon of Sunagakure.
However, Kakashi proposed a plan to split up the operations last night.
The reason is that this time the enemy is very likely to come from Iwagakure).
Baki believed in this assessment, but disagreed with the plan for the detachment to operate.
If we all come together, we have enough strength to fight any enemy.
However, once they split up, the combined fighting strength of Might Guy and his four companions and the four from Sunagakure would be greatly reduced.
However, Kakashi insisted on splitting up into two teams, and Might Guy blindly supported Kakashi.
With the score at two to one, Baki had no choice but to agree.
However, as he traveled along the way, Baki felt increasingly uneasy.
Might Guy, on the other hand, didn't seem to care at all. He trusted Kakashi's judgment and also believed in his own strength.
Since Kakashi wanted to split into teams, Kakashi must have had his own reasons.
Might Guy doesn't need to know the reason why Kakashi split up the team; he only needs to know that it was Kakashi's decision.
Along the way, Neji would activate his Byakugan every now and then to scout the surrounding area.
Several hours have passed, and the sea remains calm.
Baki suddenly turned to look at Might Guy, frowned, and asked, "What exactly is your plan?"
"Kindness?"
Might Guy looked completely bewildered and said, "Didn't we agree to split into teams?"
Baki's eye twitched slightly, and he pressed on, "What else?"
Might Guy grinned, gave Baki a thumbs-up, and said loudly, "Don't worry! Since we've accepted the mission, we'll definitely protect your safety!"
"This is youth!"
"Youth is always accompanied by uncertainty and doubt, but it is also full of fighting spirit and hope."
Baki: "..."
This conversation has completely stalled.
"Byakugan!"
Neji gave a low shout and activated his Byakugan once again to investigate.
"Kindness?"
"An enemy is rapidly approaching us... There are twenty-two of them in total... And... one of them has a very strange condition, as if he has been poisoned!"
Upon hearing this, Might Guy said in a deep voice, "It seems the enemy has already discovered us!"
"Youth always presents many challenges."
"Rock Lee, let's meet these challenges with a fighting spirit!"
Rock Lee's eyes blazed with excitement as he exclaimed, "Teacher Might Guy is absolutely right!"
The Sand Village group. "..."
Baki gritted his teeth and said, "As expected, something went wrong! Hey! Jonin of Konoha, what's your plan?"
Might Guy smiled confidently and said, "The plan is... to fight!"
Baki spat lightly. This was completely unplanned; the Konoha ninjas were acting utterly recklessly.
"Protect Gaara!"
Baki glanced back at Kankuro and Temari, his gaze containing a mixture of complexity and determination.
Kankuro and Temari at the same time.
Baki is prepared to die protecting Gaara, and Kankuro and Temari's mission is to bring Sunagakure safely back to Gaara.
Gaara's gaze softened slightly.
He once deeply envied Naruto for having so many companions, and even being able to lend the power of the monster within him to his companions.
Gaara thought he was alone.
But now... Gaara discovers that he has never actually been alone.
You also have companions by your side whom you can entrust your life to.
Gaara clenched his fists.
If Naruto was the light that dispelled the darkness in Gaara's heart, then Temari, Kankuro, Baki amplified that light infinitely, illuminating Gaara's entire inner world.
Neji's expression was equally grave. He turned to Might Guy and said, "Teacher Might Guy... there are many enemies."
Might Guy nodded slightly and said in a deep voice, "Don't worry, leave it to me!"
"Rock Lee, Neji, Tenten... you guys be careful!"
Might Guy's ability to become Jonin wasn't solely due to his strength.
If a ninja's skills are not up to par, even if Might Guy is incredibly strong, the village will not promote him to Jonin.
Might Guy turned to Neji, gave him a thumbs up, and said, "Neji, I learned a move from your sister!"
Neji: "???"
Is there anything about Hinata that is worth learning from?
The ninjas were incredibly fast, and the two teams quickly closed in, appearing in each other's field of vision in just a few moments.
Twenty-two Root Ninjas were dressed in black and wore masks.
Based solely on their clothing, it's impossible to determine which ninja village they belong to.
Fū Yamanaka's gaze remained fixed on Might Guy.
Fū Yamanaka's mission was to hold off Might Guy so that Torune Aburame could quickly kill Gaara.
Torune Aburame's technique is extremely strange; as long as he touches the other person's body, he can immediately take their life.
The fatal moment is very short, just a brief instant is enough.
Fū Yamanaka believed that Might Guy would absolutely not open the Eight Gates Released Formation in such a short time.
Because ninja battles begin with mutual probing.
Only after probing the opponent's trump card will you make the final, decisive move.
No ninja would be foolish enough to reveal their trump card before knowing their opponent's information.
Thinking of this, Fū Yamanaka and Torune Aburame a glance, realizing they had to finish the job quickly.
The two teams quickly approached each other...
One hundred meters... fifty meters... thirty meters...
Suddenly, Might Guy clenched his fists and shouted, "Eight Inner Gates... Sixth Gate... Gate of View - Open!"
Might Guy suddenly accelerated, darting to the front of the group in an instant, as if he had stopped in mid-air.
"The Morning Peacock!"
Might Guy swung his fists rapidly, the high-speed punches creating friction with the air and igniting intense flames.
The fist struck the air, generating an extremely powerful air shockwave that carried the destructive power of flames, spreading out like a peacock's tail feathers and bombarding the opponent in a sweeping manner.
Fū Yamanaka was completely stunned.
What happened to the plan of testing each other?
Are you even a ninja?!
You still don't know our intelligence!
In this situation, shouldn't we first try to get to know each other better?
Why did you unleash your ultimate skill right from the start?
Neji covered his face; he finally understood which move Might Guy and Hinata had learned.
Should I Royal Flush in my face?