Battle Begins!

Here, although they had fallen into another trap, the prepared Yei and the others were not injured.

"Are you all alright?" Yei had withstood the explosion. Though he had been forced back some distance, he was unharmed. Using Soru, he reached Shisui's side and hurriedly asked the three of them.

Shisui had already dispelled Susanoo, and his eyes had returned to the Three-Tomoe state. He covered his eyes and panted heavily, though the Chakra fluctuations around him were somewhat unstable.

Clearly, the Mangekyo Sharingan was still an enormous burden on him at this stage!

The main reason was that Shisui was still young. His physical condition had not reached its peak, and his Chakra reserves were insufficient to support excessive use of the Mangekyo Sharingan!

"We're fine," Asuma and Kakashi said, both looking toward Shisui.

What kind of ninjutsu had Shisui used just now?

How could it be so powerful?

Under Shisui's protection, they had not suffered even the slightest injury!

Though they were curious, they had no intention of asking too much. They were comrades and allies now; any questions could wait until after the mission was over.

"Senior, I'm fine too..." After catching his breath for a few moments, Shisui recovered somewhat, though the Chakra within him was still unstable and would need time to settle.

"Shisui, your eyes..." Asuma saw two trails of bloody tears flowing from Shisui's eyes and spoke with concern.

Shisui touched the blood at the corner of his eyes and shook his head. "It's nothing serious, just some aftereffects..."

"As long as you're alright." Kakashi's expression turned grave as he looked toward the lake. "The commotion here has probably already been noticed..."

Yei nodded as well. "We're so close. There's no way they wouldn't notice."

After arriving here, Yei had dispelled his Clone Technique. The memories from before had returned to him, and he now understood the situation in detail.

"..." Kakashi fell silent for a moment, thinking. Just as he was about to say something—

Yei noticed something, and his expression suddenly darkened. "They're coming this way. They may have a sensory-type ninja among them. We've been discovered!"

That was right. In Yei's perception, the six people over there were already charging toward them!

"Stay alert!" Upon hearing Yei's words, Kakashi made a decisive call, ordering everyone to remain vigilant.

Shisui and Asuma both tensed, focusing their full attention.

Yei looked in that direction. As Biwa Juzo and the others approached, he could finally make out their appearances clearly.

When he saw Biwa Juzo at the front and the Executioner's Blade on his back, Yei's heart tightened. He hurriedly said, "Be careful. That's Biwa Juzo, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist!"

The village kept intelligence records on renowned ninja from other villages. Even without memories of his past life, Yei could recognize Biwa Juzo's appearance!

"Biwa Juzo? Was he the one who attacked Konoha?"

"But isn't he one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist? Does Mist intend to start another war?" Hearing Yei's words, their expressions changed in shock. Biwa Juzo of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen?

This man had quite a reputation in the Shinobi World. He was unquestionably an elite Jonin-level powerhouse!

But more importantly, a Mist Jonin had attacked Konoha at a time like this. Could they really be trying to start another war?

Yei frowned. Seeing the slashed marks on each of the six men's forehead protectors—the mark of rogue ninja—he said in a low voice, "Every one of their forehead protectors has been slashed. That's the mark of rogue ninja. They have most likely already defected from Mist. They're rogue ninja now!"

"Rogue ninja or not, they've found us and are heading straight for us. They definitely aren't here to chat. Prepare for battle!" Kakashi drew a short sword from behind his back. Behind his Anbu mask, he unwound the bandages covering his left eye, revealing his Three-Tomoe Sharingan!

Asuma took out two specially made kunai from his ninja tool pouch and gripped them in his hands. Wind-nature Chakra flowed into them, extending into sharp Chakra blades.

Shisui's gaze also became serious. Behind his mask, his Three-Tomoe Sharingan was already active as he stared ahead.

Meanwhile, the six rogue ninja from Mist had arrived and spotted Yei's group of four.

One of the ninja formed hand seals, violent Chakra fluctuations rising around him as he shouted, "Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"

As he formed the seals, the moisture in the air around them was suddenly drawn forth. A water dragon surged out behind him and slammed viciously toward Yei and the others!

"Dodge!" Kakashi shouted, kicking off the ground and leaving his original position.

The others were all experienced as well. They instantly made their judgments and abandoned their positions.

Boom!

Just after they left, the enormous water dragon crashed down. Rolling waves burst outward, knocking over the trees in that area and clearing a vast open space!

Yei's group of four landed atop different treetops, watching the approaching six with vigilance.

"Tch, so they really are Konoha's Anbu rats!" Biwa Juzo, standing at the front, clearly saw Yei and the others. Judging from their attire, he guessed their identities.

Konoha Anbu!

"Rogue ninja from Mist? Were you the ones who attacked the people at Konoha's Border Outpost?" Kakashi stood atop a tree crown, his gaze fixed on Biwa Juzo.

Biwa Juzo sneered. "So you really came because of that? Konoha's people move pretty fast!"

"So it was you..." Kakashi's gaze was icy as the Three-Tomoe Sharingan in his left eye slowly spun.

"Since you dared to pursue us, then... stay here! If we kill you and pin it on Mist, it'll surely cause them plenty of trouble!" Biwa Juzo swept his eyes over the four of them, a cold smile appearing on his lips. "Move. Kill them!"

"Yes!" The other five rogue ninja from Mist answered in unison and charged toward Yei's group.

Aside from Biwa Juzo, their group also had two other Jonin-level fighters!

One was the sensory-type ninja from earlier, named Yagyu Kota. The other was named Hideki Yuda. Both were ninja highly proficient in Water Release ninjutsu!

In truth, all Mist ninja were skilled in Water Release due to the environment they lived in!

"Besides Biwa Juzo, two of the others are Jonin. The rest are all Chunin!" Yei swept his Byakugan across the six and gave his teammates a warning.

He was the first to attack, raising his hand and flinging kunai and shuriken at one of the charging enemies.

Through the Byakugan, he could tell that this person's Chakra fluctuations belonged to a Jonin!

"Alright." Asuma and Shisui exchanged a glance, then flashed forward and engaged the enemy!

The battle erupted in an instant!