The Yugakure Ninja forehead protector bore a symbol of three water ripples, resembling the Chinese character for "river."
After learning that Yugakure Ninja were searching ahead, Uchiha Setsuna swiftly led his men around to surround them.
The abilities of Great Nation Ninja naturally could not be compared to those of ninja from small countries.
Upon spotting the targets wearing Yugakure Ninja forehead protectors, Uchiha Ci had not even had time to pull out a Shuriken and unleash a string of insults,
before Great Elder Uchiha Setsuna had already leaped forward.
Uchiha Ci could only watch as he drew his longsword. Blazing red flames swirled around its blade as he plunged down.
Like a wildfire spreading across the wilderness, everywhere he passed, the three Yugakure Ninja were cut down like grass before they could utter a word.
Uchiha Ci felt as though a max-level veteran was carrying a low-level newbie through a dungeon.
After disposing of the three small fry, Uchiha Setsuna held his blade against one Yugakure Ninja's throat and asked coldly,
"Who sent you?"
The Yugakure Ninja shrank back fearfully, hesitating to speak.
Seeing this, Uchiha Setsuna simply activated his Sharingan and fixed him with an icy stare.
A moment later, he deactivated his Sharingan and cut down the Yugakure Ninja before him.
Standing to the side, Uchiha Ci saw the Great Elder's expression suddenly change.
Then the Great Elder turned around and ordered,
"Move out immediately. We cross the border tonight!"
"Once we pass the border checkpoint, do not stop. Head straight for the Capital of Land of Hot Water and wait to rendezvous with Fugaku, captain of the Security Department."
"If we encounter enemy interception, do not get bogged down. Withdraw immediately."
"Great Elder, what happened?"
Uchiha Seiichiro swallowed hard. Seeing the Great Elder like this, he grew nervous as well.
Uchiha Setsuna got straight to the point.
"The Two-Tails Jinchuriki has appeared in the Land of Hot Water."
"Their target is most likely our clan's garrison at Valley of Hell. There is also a high chance that ninja will be waiting ahead to intercept us."
"The situation is already out of control."
"We must immediately head to Yuren City, the capital of the Land of Hot Water, find the Shinobi Cat Clan liaison, and send the news back to the Uchiha."
"What?!"
Uchiha Seiichiro's expression changed drastically, and he was utterly horrified.
Kumogakure's Jinchuriki could be used as weapons of war.
If the Jinchuriki reached Valley of Hell, where no top-tier expert was currently stationed, then for the clan members there,
it would be nothing short of a devastating disaster!
The Third Shinobi World War had not even begun yet, and Kumogakure was already deploying a weapon like a Jinchuriki on the battlefields of small countries?
Meanwhile, a sharp glint flashed through Uchiha Ci's eyes.
That was the Two-Tails Jinchuriki.
No matter how fancy your Shurikenjutsu was, one slap from him could turn you into a meat patty.
After briefly sparring with Uchiha Seiichiro, he had realized—
once Shurikenjutsu reached such an absurd, masterful level, even against an Uchiha Chunin with a Two-Tomoe Sharingan activated, he had a considerable chance of winning.
In other words,
Uchiha Ci, a Genin, actually possessed Chunin-level strength now.
If Shurikenjutsu could count as a specialty, Uchiha Ci might even qualify for the title of Special Jonin.
It would be difficult to scam insurance payouts through ordinary missions now.
Only by taking on more dangerous missions and fighting more dangerous enemies
could he earn himself a respectable exit!
And he had only just reached the battlefield
when he heard that an ultimate raid boss like the Two-Tails Jinchuriki was ahead. Uchiha Ci's feelings were simply beyond words.
The tears at the corners of his eyes were practically about to flow from the corners of his mouth.
Uchiha Setsuna looked around, observing his two subordinates' expressions. He was just about to give them another pep talk.
That useless Dove Faction trash, Seiichiro, wore a terrified expression and kept darting his eyes away. He looked like a pathetic turtle, as if he wished he could shove his head into his pants.
Still, Uchiha Setsuna could understand.
After all, encountering an enemy of this level during a mission was comparable to taking on an S-Rank Mission.
A little fear was perfectly normal.
But when Uchiha Setsuna looked at Uchiha Ci, the corner of his eye immediately twitched.
What the hell was wrong with this kid?
That eager little look in his eyes, the tears at the corners of his mouth, and that excited expression on his face, like he had just been injected with stimulants.
He kept muttering under his breath, "Tatakai! Tatakai! Tatakai!"
The only thing missing was the words "I want to fight!" carved onto his face.
Uchiha Setsuna's brow twitched. What the hell is this?!
You scared the crap out of me!
Uchiha Setsuna shook his head and swallowed the pep talk that was about to leave his mouth.
With a cold face and icy eyes, he drew his blade and pointed it into the pitch-black darkness ahead!
"Move out!"
They plunged into the darkness and pressed onward.
In the lightless night, the mountains lay low like sleeping dragons, silent enough to terrify.
Thanks to Uchiha Setsuna's decisiveness in eliminating the Yugakure Ninja scouting and standing watch for Kumogakure's three-man team in advance, the Uchiha squad crossed the Land of Hot Water's border without incident.
Elsewhere,
the night swept past like a fleeting gap.
The clouds shrouding the full moon split apart, and cold moonlight spilled down, illuminating the valley.
Ramui, the Kumogakure Jonin who had been dozing with his ninja sword in his arms, abruptly opened his eyes.
He suddenly frowned and muttered,
"Something's wrong. It's too quiet."
Then he leaned over and asked the teammate keeping watch beside him,
"Moroi, has the man responsible for receiving regular reports from the Yugakure Ninja returned yet?"
Moroi wiped his ninja sword and frowned slightly as well. "No."
"It has been over Half Hour already."
Ramui frowned, thought for a moment, and immediately ordered,
"Send word to our spies in the border villages on both sides. Ask them what is happening."
Upon hearing this, Moroi was about to use the Summoning Technique when he suddenly looked up.
A carrier pigeon flew in beneath the moonlight. He reached out, caught it, and pulled a scroll of paper from its leg.
"Senior Ramui, the news has arrived."
"The Uchiha have entered the Land of Hot Water. They are not far ahead of us. They changed their route and did not go to Valley of Hell. Instead, they are heading toward Yuren City."
Ramui was immediately startled and quickly woke Dodai, who was still resting.
"Something's wrong. We need to catch up!"
"Uchiha Setsuna may already know our plan."
Back to the Uchiha squad.
At this moment,
the squad had crossed the Land of Hot Water's border and passed through three more villages without daring to stop for even a moment.
The moon was setting in the west, and the horizon was beginning to brighten. The cries of apes echoed through the deep mountain valleys.
The three had been traveling since eight o'clock yesterday morning. After reaching the border, they had not rested at all, crossing the Land of Hot Water's border at night and continuing their forced march through the night.
They were already exhausted.
Although Uchiha Ci had acquired an advanced skill and possessed considerable combat strength, his Chakra reserves were what they were.
By now, he was drenched in sweat, bracing himself against his knees as he panted heavily.
Fortunately, there was an abandoned village ahead where they could rest.
Uchiha Seiichiro cried that he could not walk another step. Uchiha Setsuna frowned slightly and had no choice but to order them to rest where they were.
He first instructed the still-mobile Seiichiro to clear a spot. Then he strung wires around the village, hanging Exploding Tags and bells, taking on the work his two subordinates should have been doing.
As for Uchiha Ci, he was so exhausted that he could not even move, yet he still forced himself to get up and help.
The Great Elder slapped the back of his head and knocked him unconscious.
Uchiha Setsuna summoned a Ninja Crow to stand guard, then let out a breath and said gravely to Seiichiro,
"It will take another half day to reach Yuren City. We rest here for two hours, then leave immediately."
As soon as he finished speaking, Uchiha Setsuna closed his eyes, his snores rumbling like thunder.
Uchiha Seiichiro could not hold on either. He collapsed to the ground and slept like Peppa Pig.
The three gained a brief moment of rest.
Unbeknownst to them, danger was rapidly closing in from behind.
Next chapter: Thunderous Roar! The Battle Begins!
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