The Wandering Samurai, First Battle

Northwestern Land of Fire.

This place was close to the Land of Rivers, the Land of Rain, and Mount Kikyo. It was an extremely chaotic region, but at the same time, it was an important trade route leading to several countries in the northwest.

That was precisely why the place was so prosperous.

"Is this Baiyun Town?"

Asuma looked around, observing the unfamiliar town.

"Yes. I came here a few months ago too. A group of Sunagakure ninja attacked this place then, but we drove them back."

Kyoichi nodded.

After the war ended, the area had gradually begun to recover, and many trade routes had started being rebuilt.

However.

Because it was close to the Land of Rain and the Land of Rivers, bandits and wandering ninja often appeared here. Before, there had been a large force of Konoha ninja keeping them in check, so there had been no need to worry.

But now that the main force had withdrawn, with no ninja stationed nearby and only a few patrolling the borders, those bandits had begun causing trouble and robbing people again. The town mayor had no choice but to issue a mission.

Leaning against a wall, Kyoichi secretly activated Chakra Sensing.

"Found them!"

In the direction of the Land of Rivers, there was indeed a band of bandits made up of wandering samurai. They were also quite bold, continuing to lurk around after carrying out several robberies.

Judging by their appearance, they seemed to be robbing someone again.

"Teacher, what do we do now?"

Kurenai Yuhi looked around.

Many people nearby were rebuilding the streets. The damaged roads were slowly being repaired, and after a month, most places had actually been restored.

She sensed the area. There were no enemies nearby for the time being, and she suddenly had no idea what to do.

"There's no rush. Look around first and survey the terrain."

Kyoichi said.

If this had only been his mission, he could have simply charged over and cut them all down with ease. But leading a squad was another matter...

He glanced at the three children.

After thinking for a moment, Kyoichi said, "C-rank missions and above may involve combat. You must always be prepared to fight and kill. Also, if you were put in command, what would you do?"

"First, inspect the terrain, set up traps, and prepare for defense."

Asuma answered without hesitation.

That was what the books said.

There was nothing wrong with it, but...

"Where would you set the traps?"

"Huh?"

Asuma hesitated. He could not think of an answer right away.

That was what a lack of experience meant.

Shisui pondered for a moment before saying, "To the west. The Land of Rivers has no ninja village, so there are many wandering samurai and wandering ninja. These people can easily band together into bandits. Patrols usually pay special attention to that direction."

"Not bad. The Guard Unit taught you a lot in advance."

Kyoichi sighed in admiration.

The Uchiha were arrogant, but they truly possessed great strength. Unfortunately, there were too many hawks within the clan. This was especially true after Nine-Tails' Night, when even Fugaku had difficulty suppressing them.

He looked at the three of them and said, "Go investigate the west and set up traps. If you encounter enemies, you may decide for yourselves whether to engage them. Remember what I taught you. There shouldn't be any major problems."

"Yes!"

The three accepted their orders and left.

Kyoichi secretly followed them while also creating a Shadow Clone, which headed toward the places where the walls and streets were being built. If Baiyun Town was to recover, merely driving off the bandits would not be enough.

Being a ninja wasn't as easy as it seemed.

Shisui and the others slowly patrolled and investigated the area, while Kyoichi took out a book and began reading.

A book on cell theory.

He had borrowed it from the Third Hokage. He took it out to read whenever he had free time, and with the system's reward of "Basic Medical Knowledge," the book was not difficult to digest.

Recently, he had made some progress with Activation Technique. Skin actually had a certain ability to breathe, but the amount of oxygen it absorbed was extremely small, far too little to meet the body's needs.

But what if cellular activity were enhanced?

Once activity was increased, could breathing through the skin improve absorption efficiency and strengthen the activation of the entire body?

Experiments had shown that it was indeed possible.

The higher his Seven Heavenly Breathing Methods level, the stronger the skin-breathing effect became.

Although it had not yet reached the level of the fourth activation, he felt that the direction was correct. He could also explore downward from the limit—activate the skin first, then slowly activate the blood and muscles.

That way, a low-grade Activation Technique might actually be completed!

That was the theory.

However.

Putting it into practice was not so simple. The problem was that the activation was not comprehensive, which was why Kyoichi had recently been studying and pondering it.

Of course.

In-depth research into cells would also be useful for Hashirama Cells, Taijutsu, Medical Ninjutsu, and other areas in the future.

A single investment yielding countless returns!

After a long while, Kyoichi put down the book and looked in Kurenai Yuhi's direction.

"They found them?"

The enemies were still two or three kilometers away from Kurenai Yuhi, but she had been making hand signals, and she already had a Kunai and shuriken in her hands.

Kyoichi was not too worried.

Over the past dozen days, Kurenai Yuhi had become extremely proficient in the Body Flicker Technique. Asuma had mastered Vacuum Blade, while Shisui had received the least guidance but had improved tremendously in Sword Technique and Body Flicker Technique.

The three of them were strong enough. The question was whether their first time killing someone would cause problems.

Kyoichi's main body followed as a precaution against accidents.

The three met up and moved toward the group of wandering samurai. They had clearly found the enemy.

Three kilometers...

"Later, I can consider teaching her Chakra Sensing. I wonder if she'll be able to learn it."

Chakra Sensing differed slightly from Kurenai Yuhi's perception ability.

Kurenai Yuhi's perception ability was related to the powerful mental energy she had developed from studying genjutsu since childhood. As a result, her perception was more precise within a small area. Chakra Sensing, on the other hand, had a wider range, though its precision at close range was slightly inferior.

Each had its strengths and weaknesses.

As the distance between the two sides grew shorter, the band of wandering samurai gradually came into view. Their bodies were stained with blood, and bags hung from their waists. They had clearly robbed a great deal of money and might even have just killed someone.

Shisui and the others hid in the woods where they had set up their traps. After a moment...

An explosion rang out.

"What a waste!"

Kyoichi sighed.

These few Explosive Tags cost more than the reward for completing a C-rank mission. Only these ninja heirs could afford to use so many. How could ordinary civilian Genin have that much money?

Still.

It was their first time, so it was understandable.

"Careful! There are ninja!"

After the chaos, Shisui and the others attacked.

The old tactic.

Great Fireball, Great Breakthrough.

Flames swept across the area, making the already chaotic ranks of the wandering samurai even more disordered. Kurenai Yuhi seized an opening and threw a handful of shuriken, killing two or three people outright.

Flesh flew everywhere, and the stench of burning filled the air.

The scene was extremely shocking.

"Go!"

Asuma reacted first. Gritting his teeth, he formed hand seals and exhaled Wind Release chakra onto his Kunai.

Vacuum Blade!

Then he charged forward first, Kunai in hand.

"I-I'll use genjutsu to support you!"

Kurenai Yuhi's emotions were turbulent, but she quickly calmed down and formed hand seals upon landing.

"They're just three kids. Kill them!"

When the wandering samurai saw that their opponents were children, they felt emboldened again, and one by one, their fighting spirit returned.

However.

In the next moment, Shisui moved after launching his attack but arrived at the battlefield before Asuma.

Clone Technique, Transformation Jutsu.

Shisui then blended into the enemy formation and, using the Body Flicker Technique, repeatedly carried out assassinations with his blade.

"Fall back! Group up, or you'll all die!"

The enemy adjusted their positions, stood back-to-back, and drew their samurai swords.

Kurenai Yuhi's genjutsu activated.

At the same time, Asuma closed in. His Kunai swept across an enemy's vital point, and with the enhancement of Vacuum Blade, the strike pierced straight through the opponent's heart, spraying blood across his face.

The next moment, three or four blades came crashing down at him.

There was no fancy technique involved—just attacks aimed at vital points. Asuma froze for a moment.

"Asuma!"

Kurenai Yuhi hurriedly threw a shuriken.

Shisui attacked as well, striking toward one of the enemies.

However.

This group of wandering samurai did not even try to save their comrade. Even as they took injuries and watched their companion die, they remained determined to hack Asuma to death. Their killing intent was fierce, and they were extraordinarily savage.

They were fighting for their lives!

This was the battlefield.

Their blades moved swiftly. They did not care about swordsmanship—only speed, accuracy, and ruthlessness, exchanging injuries for injuries!

Asuma lost his composure.

Just as he was about to be struck...

Clang!

A flash of sword light swept past, and all the samurai swords striking at Asuma broke in two.

In the next moment, blood sprayed through the air.