Possible Doubts

"Looks like our luck isn't very good..."

Sarutobi Kazuhara sealed the documents into a Sealing Scroll, then swiftly left the underground chamber with Uzumaki Gengetsu.

"Mist Ninja!"

With his Sharingan activated, Uchiha Shinsui looked outside through the window. Three Mist Ninja were cautiously approaching the ruins.

"It seems they haven't found us. Kazuhara-sensei, if we launch a surprise attack, we should be able to take them out, right?"

Kanzuki Chiba said. Gengetsu's arrival had given her greater confidence.

"No. These three Mist Ninja are suspicious. They're very likely bait!"

Uchiha Shinsui rejected the idea. His observations had been meticulous.

Sarutobi Kazuhara showed a trace of approval before saying, "Gengetsu, the surprise attack is yours. Take out those two Chunin, then use the Hidden Mist Technique. I'll handle that Jonin. Shinsui and Chiba, support us!"

The three nodded silently. Gengetsu then came to the window and clasped his hands together. Water Release—Water Severing Wave!

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

High-speed water blades shot from his mouth one after another, tearing through the walls as though they were paper.

"Watch out!"

Outside, the Mist Ninja Jonin reacted quickly and used the Body Flicker Technique to evade. However, the other two were a step too slow. The water blades pierced through them, and they screamed as they fell.

"Damn it, water release of this caliber... We were careless!"

The Mist Ninja Jonin cursed inwardly. The Hidden Mist Technique was one of the Mist Ninja's signature techniques, and they were intimately familiar with it. Although Gengetsu had taken measures to conceal it, they had still discovered them. They also had a sensory ninja among them, so they had decided to lure the Konoha ninja from the ruins out before surrounding and eliminating them.

But they had clearly underestimated Gengetsu's group. A water release like Water Severing Wave had long range, tremendous speed, and formidable power, while making little noise. It was perfect for a surprise attack!

Inside the ruins, the instant Gengetsu finished his technique, Sarutobi Kazuhara charged out. Opening his mouth, he unleashed a barrage of compressed air bullets that blanketed the area. Wind Release—Vacuum Bullets!

Inside the room, Gengetsu remained still and breathed out again, sending thick mist howling outward.

The Mist Ninja were also highly skilled in the Hidden Mist Technique and possessed the Silent Killing Technique to complement it. Rather than let the enemy use the Hidden Mist Technique, it was better to use it themselves. That way, Gengetsu could sense the Mist Ninja and gain the advantage.

"So they really were bait!"

Gengetsu's expression turned grave. "One Jonin, two Chunin, and two Genin..."

"Do Mist Ninja always carry out missions in groups?"

Gengetsu could not help complaining.

"Two four-man squads. This is troublesome!"

Uchiha Shinsui looked at Uzumaki Gengetsu. "Gengetsu, Chiba and I will hold that Jonin off first. The other four are yours!"

"Alright. Be careful."

Gengetsu nodded.

"Chiba, move!"

Uchiha Shinsui shouted and rushed out of the house with Kanzuki Chiba.

Gengetsu used the Body Flicker Technique to reach the rooftop, then formed hand seals.

Multiple Shadow Clone Technique!

Four Shadow Clones appeared in succession, then plunged together into the thick mist.

"Be careful! The enemy has a Jonin proficient in powerful water release!"

The Mist Ninja Jonin's roar came from nearby. Gengetsu was left speechless when he heard it. If I were a Jonin, I'd have cut you down already!

At that moment, the thick mist was blown away. Clearly, the enemy also had a ninja skilled in wind release.

Standing on the roof, Gengetsu could already see his four Shadow Clones confronting four Mist Ninja.

On the other side, Uchiha Shinsui and Kanzuki Chiba had intercepted another Jonin. However, the situation was far from optimistic. A Jonin was not someone they could handle so easily!

Clearly, the Mist Ninja had intended for the other five to launch a surprise attack from behind and surround them after the bait had drawn them out, preventing them from escaping once they sensed the danger!

"Then let's end this quickly!"

The four Shadow Clones in the standoff simultaneously gathered spheres of Chakra in their hands. Rasengan—no, Wind Release—Rasenshuriken!

As wind-nature Chakra entered the Rasengan, its form changed again, becoming four rapidly spinning giant pinwheels that emitted piercing shrieks.

"What? Such highly condensed Chakra..."

The four Mist Ninja widened their eyes and swallowed hard.

"Retreat!"

One of the Chunin came to his senses and roared.

"Too late!"

Gengetsu's four Shadow Clones lunged forward at the same time, rapidly closing in on the four Mist Ninja. Then, the Rasenshuriken in their hands suddenly swelled, forming four rapidly expanding masses of spinning white light. Because they erupted so close together, the four spheres collided with one another, producing a deafening boom. Immediately afterward, a storm swept outward, ripping up the ground and rolling up a wave of mud!

"Going all out really does feel great, even if it hurts a little!"

Gengetsu smiled. Seeing the storm rushing toward him, he immediately used the Body Flicker Technique to leave. In the next instant, the already crumbling building collapsed with a thunderous crash. Uchiha Shinsui and Kanzuki Chiba, who were not far away, were also caught in the aftermath and swept into the air by the gale!

"What kind of ninjutsu was that?"

"To create such a powerful attack..."

"Damn it, they have strength like this? Just who are they..."

Cold sweat streamed down the faces of the two Mist Ninja Jonin.

"Was that Gengetsu?"

"No, it had to be Gengetsu!"

Uchiha Shinsui and Kanzuki Chiba stared in stunned disbelief.

"Such an attack..."

Sarutobi Kazuhara was equally shocked, but he acted decisively. While his opponent was still dazed, he swiftly formed hand seals and used Wind Release—Vacuum Great Sphere to finish him off.

On the other side, Gengetsu regrouped with Uchiha Shinsui and Kanzuki Chiba.

"Could that red-haired Kid have done that? Hm? A red-haired Kid... could it be him?"

The Mist Ninja Jonin looked at Gengetsu as he appeared. "Hey, are you Uzumaki Gengetsu?"

"No!"

Gengetsu denied it without hesitation, then clasped his hands together. Why waste so many words on an enemy? Just fight!

Water Release—Water Severing Wave!

"So it really is you!"

The Mist Ninja snorted and quickly dodged. Uchiha Shinsui and Kanzuki Chiba immediately launched attacks from both sides, but a Jonin was still a Jonin. In the blink of an eye, both were sent flying. Just as Gengetsu was about to use water release, the Mist Ninja had already completed his hand seals. With a breath, thick mist spread everywhere.

"Shinsui, Chiba, fall back!"

Gengetsu shouted urgently while forming hand seals. Then he breathed out, and a fierce gale swept forth, dispersing the mist.

However, the mist covered too wide an area. Even Wind Release—Great Breakthrough could not disperse it completely.

Uchiha Shinsui and Kanzuki Chiba retreated to Gengetsu's side, standing back-to-back in extreme vigilance.

"He's already escaped!"

Sarutobi Kazuhara arrived then and joined Gengetsu in using Wind Release—Great Breakthrough, completely blowing away the mist. Sure enough, the Mist Ninja had already fled.

"Kazuhara-sensei, should we chase him? That Mist Ninja seemed to know Gengetsu's identity."

Uchiha Shinsui asked hurriedly.

"No. There are many Mist Ninja active in Whirlpool Country right now. There's a good chance he could lure us into a trap!"

Sarutobi Kazuhara decisively shook his head, then looked at Gengetsu's red hair. "So you've already been targeted. It really is a conspicuous mark..."

Gengetsu's mouth twitched as he complained inwardly, Is having red hair my fault? Besides, have you ever seen such handsome red hair?

"Then the mission ends here. We'll return to Konoha immediately!"

Sarutobi Kazuhara made his final decision.

"No, Kazuhara-sensei!"

Gengetsu stopped him. "There's no need to abandon the mission because of me alone. The Mist Ninja may have their eyes on me, but they can't possibly deploy a large force. Besides, we aren't without reinforcements, are we?"

"So you sensed them..."

Sarutobi Kazuhara looked at Gengetsu, then finally nodded. "In that case, the mission continues. Gengetsu, treat everyone's injuries!"

"Yes, Kazuhara-sensei!"

Gengetsu nodded, then created Clones to treat everyone's wounds. Yet he could not help thinking, Do the higher-ups still have doubts about me? No! This is most likely that old bastard Danzo's doing. That scheming bastard must have suggested it, with support from the other two advisors...