Crackling--
A foul stench filled the air; a massive fire had wiped out the Poison Fang Group had been roaming the land of Land of Rivers.
They were just a group of wandering ninjas. Even though their leader was wary, he was only a guy who wasn't even Special Jōnin.
Hundreds of Konoha Ninjas scoured the ruins after the fire, striving to leave no survivors.
After wrapping the bandages around his hands, Hagoromo addressed Akimichi Chōza, who was standing nearby:
"Choza, we'll split up for now."
"Are you confident? After all, 'Smoke Release' caused considerable damage to Konoha's forces during the Third Shinobi World War."
Akimichi Chōza asked with some concern.
In the Shinobi World, those who can attain Kekkei Genkai are invariably formidable opponents.
The fighting style is unpredictable, and the Ninjutsu is difficult for ordinary people to understand.
"Don't worry, at least we still have some information about the Ibu Clan."
Hagoromo nodded and said that Konoha naturally kept records of the Ibu Clan's Kekkei Genkai.
"However, Senior Choza, you might need to hurry. The Sea Serpent Group has been lurking on the surface of the sea."
"Their whereabouts are hard to predict; I'm afraid we won't be able to find them before the mission ends."
Hearing what Hagoromo said, Choza nodded in agreement.
After all, knowing the location, if he went directly there, there would be a hundred ninjas, plus himself and Hagoromo.
It could be wiped out almost effortlessly.
The difficulty lies in the fact that the Sea Serpent Group lives at sea, making it almost impossible to pinpoint their location using clues.
"We've sent out Anbu to search the village, but so far they haven't given us a definitive location."
"Don't worry, I've got a slight idea; let's see if it goes as planned."
However, Choza patted his chest and said to Hagoromo with great confidence.
Seeing Choza's expression, Hagoromo nodded thoughtfully, after all, someone like Choza, an old man who had experienced both Second Shinobi World War and Third Shinobi World War, was quite perceptive.
They'll always find a way.
Thinking of this, Hagoromo nodded and said, "Alright, I'll lead the people to Sealed Vault Canyon first."
"Go ahead, maybe I'll finish mine by the time you've done it."
Choza nodded.
"Good."
Hagoromo waved her hand, and twenty ninjas who had finished cleaning up the battlefield followed Hagoromo away.
Watching Hagoromo gradually disappear into the distance, Choza couldn't help but sigh.
"Shikaku, you absolutely must get your intelligence here as soon as possible--"
--
Speed is of the essence in warfare, especially since ninjas are almost always a highly mobile group.
In less than half a day, Hagoromo had already reached the area of Sealed Vault Canyon.
Hagoromo and the people she brought were hidden in the huge tree canopy, looking at the distant canyon shrouded in mist.
Although it's called Sealed Vault Canyon, there's no need to lock it up so tightly.
"Lord Hagoromo"
A figure appeared beside Hagoromo; it was Aburame Muta, with whom he had once teamed up in the Land of Hot Water.
"I have thoroughly explored and understood the terrain of Sealed Vault Canyon."
"The Ibu Clan lives in groups inside that canyon, surrounded by mountain walls, with only one exit."
"However, it's unlikely that you can get up to the mountainside. Due to the geographical conditions, the dense fog that forms there is almost impossible to dissipate, making it nearly impossible to discern directions."
"Furthermore, the Ibu Clan has set up some traps there, which could be triggered if one is not careful."
Even the only entrance and exit is guarded.
As Muta's description, Hagoromo brows gradually furrowed.
No wonder the Ibu Clan has established themselves in this place; it's almost a perfect fit for their Kekkei Genkai.
Hagoromo looked up at the sky; it was nearly dusk.
A long time has passed since we set off.
There was no time to delay any longer, but this was also the time when those on duty all day were most relaxed.
With that in mind, Hagoromo no longer hesitated and began to give instructions on the battle plan.
--
"Yundou, how long until the next shift change?"
A middle-aged man asked the young man next to him.
When asked, the Yundou was taken aback for a moment, then calculated in his mind before replying:
"It should be soon, after all, we've been on guard for almost eight hours."
After speaking, Yundou still kept a wary eye on the entrance shrouded in smoke.
Seeing the young man's wary look, the middle-aged man laughed and said:
"Don't be so nervous. After all, this is Barrier Ninjutsu technique modified by our clan leader using his Kekkei Genkai. If there are any anomalies..."
"The barrier will issue a warning."
Upon hearing this, Yundou scratched the back of his head, looking embarrassed, and said:
"Sigh, it's all thanks to the clan leader and elders who have been constantly reminding us that we need to be very careful."
"I've heard things are getting tense again lately. The elder came back with a somber expression after going out a few days ago."
At this point, Yundou looked curiously at the middle-aged man and said:
"Uncle Kawajirō, do you know what this is about?"
Sensing the eager look on Yundou's face, Kawajirō cleared his throat.
Seeing this, Yundou knew exactly what the middle-aged man was implying, and quickly took out the cigarettes he carried with him and offered them to him.
Kawajirō took it, put it to his nose with an expression of enjoyment, took a deep breath, and then took out a match to light it.
"Whew—that feels so good!"
Kawajirō exhaled a heavy puff of smoke before speaking to Yundou, "You don't know, do you? Another war is about to break out outside."
"The last time the elder went out, it was because the Sunagakure needed us to do something."
"Huh? Why?"
Upon hearing this, Yundou frowned, after all, the Sand Shinobi and Konoha were their clan's mortal enemies.
If their clan hadn't been purged by the two major ninja villages back then, the Ibu Clan wouldn't have needed to hide in this place; they would have unified the Land of Rivers and established their Genin village long ago.
He might be a ninja master whom even commoners would respect by now.
Seeing Yundou's expression, Kawajirō knew perfectly well what the young man was thinking.
Back in the day, during Third Shinobi World War, he was just as arrogant as Yundou.
However, only after experiencing and witnessing the strength of Konoha and Sand Shinobi did one realize how naive this idea was.
The only remaining member of the clan with the most perfect Smoke Release Kekkei Genkai is the former young master, now the clan leader.
Even the elders who usually look very serious are just the strongest among the short ones.
That cleansing cost more than just the lives of the Ibu people.
Even the scrolls passed down through generations of the Ibu Clan and many other important items have been lost.
The two gatekeepers had at most cultivated Chakra and learned some basic Smoke Release Ninjutsu.
It's important to understand that true Smoke Release is actually a type of 'active smoke' that can be freely generated and manipulated, possessing special properties.
It is not a product of ordinary combustion, but Kekkei Genkai formed by the combination of extremely subtle wind and fire Nature Transformations containing Chakra.
It possesses the ability to withstand high temperatures, provide shelter, maintain mobility, and allow for a certain degree of physical manipulation.
They can't simply use smoke to Smoke Release.