The Leaked Information (Please Bookmark and Recommend)

"Good grief, at least four Jonin and eight Chunin!"

Gengetsu's expression changed drastically. It was only a merchant caravan—how had it attracted so many powerful ninja?

"I'll go notify Kazuhara-sensei!"

Kanzuki Chiba did not even have time to pack her things before rushing out of the carriage.

Gengetsu continued sensing and discovered that the ninja, whose allegiance was unknown, had suddenly split into three groups. One group continued charging straight at the caravan, while the other two moved left and right as though intending to encircle them.

"Looks like they're enemies without a doubt!"

Gengetsu opened his eyes and stepped out of the carriage just as Sarutobi Kazuhara and the others arrived.

"At least four Jonin and eight Chunin, divided into three teams. Two Jonin are coming head-on, while each flank has one Jonin and four Chunin. They're less than three kilometers away!"

Gengetsu briefly described what he had sensed.

Sarutobi Kazuhara's face immediately darkened. He sensed that something was seriously wrong. But there was no time for hesitation. "Either abandon the mission or meet them in battle!"

"Kazuhara-sensei, of course we fight!"

Uchiha Shinsui answered without hesitation as twin tomoe Sharingan appeared in his eyes.

"Kazuhara-sensei, this is unusual. If we retreat now, not only will Konoha lose its reputation, but it may very well turn into a pursuit battle. We could end up in an even worse position!"

Gengetsu was not the stubborn sort who insisted on fighting to the death, but he had a feeling these people were coming for him. If he did not get to the bottom of this, he would not be able to sleep peacefully.

"Then we'll take the initiative and engage them!"

Sarutobi Kazuhara decisively said, "Shinsui, take the left side. Don't confront them head-on. Gengetsu, take the right. Chiba, you and the caravan's other two Chunin will protect the employer. Also, surround the convoy with Earth Release. Gengetsu, cover the convoy with the Hidden Mist Technique. And there should be plenty of Exploding Tags, right? Set them up around the camp!"

"Understood!"

Everyone immediately began making preparations.

Earth Release, Earth Flow Rampart!

Sarutobi Kazuhara, Gengetsu, and a Shadow Clone formed hand seals together. The earth shook as eight towering walls rose up, encircling the entire convoy in inner and outer rings. Then Gengetsu brought his hands together and exhaled, spreading a thick mist that enveloped the convoy.

Next, Gengetsu formed hand seals and used the Summoning Technique to summon Katsuyu. He had Katsuyu split into five smaller bodies, each following one person to relay and share information.

"I'll leave this place to you!"

Watching Sarutobi Kazuhara and Uchiha Shinsui depart, Gengetsu spoke to the Shadow Clone.

"Don't worry!"

The Shadow Clone nodded, then flashed into the enclosure with Kanzuki Chiba and vanished into the thick mist.

"I hate all this fighting and killing, especially on a rainy day!"

After muttering to himself, Gengetsu set off to meet the incoming enemies.

"Gengetsu-sama, Kazuhara-sama's side has already engaged the enemy. Aside from ninja, there are also Wandering Samurai!"

Little Katsuyu on his shoulder suddenly warned him.

"Wandering Samurai? Could they really be here to rob us?"

Doubt rose in Gengetsu's heart, and he stopped. He had already spotted his enemies. Aside from the five ninja he had sensed earlier, there were over a dozen Wandering Samurai racing through the rain. They stopped twenty meters in front of him.

Through the curtain of rain, Gengetsu's gaze landed on the ninja's forehead protectors.

Rain Ninja Defectors!

"Gengetsu-sama, Uchiha Shinsui has also clashed with the enemy. They're Rain Ninja Defectors as well!"

Little Katsuyu said.

"They're all Rain Ninja Defectors?"

Gengetsu frowned. "No matter how chaotic the Land of Rain is, and no matter how much Hanzo has declined from his strength in the Second Shinobi War, he's still known as a demigod. Four Jonin defectors? My ass. Who are they trying to fool?"

"Is Konoha so short on people that they sent a kid to fight us?"

A Chunin with a scar across his forehead mocked him, though inwardly he sighed. Being sent to deal with a kid like this really pisses me off!

"Hey, don't underestimate Konoha's ninja, or you won't even know how you died!"

A cold laugh rang out. Gengetsu looked over to see a person whose face was completely hidden beneath a straw hat. According to his senses, he was also a Chunin. But the labels of Chunin and Jonin were only judged by Chakra strength, not absolute measures!

"Kid from Konoha, we only want money, not lives. Give up resisting, and we guarantee your safety!"

The middle-aged man leading them spoke. He was a Bandage Man. Both his hands were wrapped in bandages, and bandages covered everything below his nose as well, making Gengetsu think of Iwagakure's Second Tsuchikage, Mu.

This man isn't simple!

Gengetsu's eyelid twitched. He immediately formed hand seals and created a Shadow Clone.

"No one in Konoha retreats without fighting!"

The original body brought his hands together, his gaze sharpening. "Besides, I'm nine now, not three! You came specifically for us, didn't you? So what faction are you from? Or rather, which faction hired you?"

Clenching his fists, Gengetsu raised his chin. "Tell me. Otherwise, I'll beat you all to death!"

"Tch, what an arrogant little brat!"

Hat Man curled his lip, but he did not underestimate him in the slightest. Still, according to the intel, he really is a troublesome kid. A disciple of one of Konoha's Sannin, capable of five Chakra Nature Transformations. He truly can't be underestimated!

He looked at Bandage Man. "Looks like a fierce battle is unavoidable. Be careful—we can't hold back!"

Bandage Man nodded. "The employer said they wanted him alive, but they also said it didn't matter if he died!"

"As expected..."

Gengetsu's face darkened. "In that case, I'll tear off your masks and see what you really look like!"

Water Release—Water Disruption Wave!

A massive amount of water gathered around Gengetsu, then spiraled upward to form a gigantic water pillar thirty to forty meters wide. Then, as Gengetsu formed the "Ram" seal in front of him, the water pillar surged forward like a flood with a thunderous roar.

"A ninja proficient in Water Release really has every advantage in an environment like this!"

Bandage Man's expression shifted slightly. After sighing, he formed hand seals. At the same time, the four Chunin behind him stepped forward in unison and formed hand seals alongside him.

Earth Release—Earth Style Wall!

As the five men dropped to one knee and pressed their hands against the muddy ground, a huge, thick wall rose with a rumble.

Rumble!

The current crashed against the wall, raising enormous waves. Water either surged backward or spilled violently to both sides, but the wall remained completely intact.

"Such coordinated joint ninjutsu. Is that something a motley bunch could pull off? What a joke!"

Gengetsu sneered.

"Gengetsu-sama, be careful. These people seem to know a great deal about you!"

Little Katsuyu warned him again. Clearly, Sarutobi Kazuhara and Uchiha Shinsui, who were already fighting on the other sides, had also noticed something was wrong.

"If this has nothing to do with that old bastard Danzo, I'll twist off my own head and use it as a ball!"

Gengetsu fumed inwardly. With a cold smile, he formed hand seals. On the other side, the Wandering Samurai charged out from behind the wall, roaring as they attacked.

"Let's go!"

The Shadow Clone gave a low shout, skimming rapidly across the water's surface as lightning gathered in both hands and Chidori shrieked.

Lightning Release, Ground Walk!

Gengetsu's original body dropped to one knee and pressed both hands against the water's surface. He had not used Water Disruption Wave to attack.

Lightning spread across the water on a massive scale, moving even faster than the Shadow Clone. The charging Wandering Samurai immediately screamed. Their bodies trembled as they were struck by lightning and left completely numb.

Although Lightning Release—Ground Walk could not directly kill anyone, it successfully restrained many Wandering Samurai. The Shadow Clone followed close behind, moving like a ghost. Amid the cries of Chidori, blood sprayed through the air and dyed the water red.

At that moment, the combined effects of Water Release—Water Disruption Wave, Lightning Release—Ground Walk, Water Release—Water Body Flicker Technique, and Lightning Release—Raikiri were explosive. The Shadow Clone seemed to become the Shinigami itself, harvesting life after life.

On top of the earthen wall, Bandage Man and the other four ninja watched the battle ahead without any intention of intervening.

"As expected, that kid can't be underestimated. He's only nine, right? He already has the qualities of a Jonin!"

Cold sweat ran down Scarface's face. If he had been among the charging crowd, he probably would not have escaped unscathed either!

"That's precisely why we were deployed!"

Bandage Man said, his eyes solemn.

"Since he's using Lightning Release, use Wind Release against him! The intel says he's also proficient in Wind Release. I'd like to see it for myself!"

Straw Hat Man spoke, then formed hand seals. After taking a deep breath, he opened his mouth and fired bullet after bullet of compressed air at the Shadow Clone slaughtering the Wandering Samurai below.

Immediately afterward, another Rain Ninja Defector formed hand seals. "Take out his Shadow Clone first!"

Fire Release—Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!

Compressed flaming bullets shot straight toward the Shadow Clone below, with no regard for friend or foe. The Shadow Clone had no choice but to evade.

Suddenly, from the corner of his eye, the Shadow Clone caught sight of a dazzling blade of light.