Wandering Samurai, First Battle

Northwest of the Land of Fire.

This area is close to the Land of Rivers, the Land of Rain, and Mount Kikyo, making it a very chaotic region. However, it is also an important trade route leading to several northwestern countries.

Because of this, it is very prosperous here.

"This is Baiyun Town?"

Asuma looked around, observing the unfamiliar town.

"Yes, I was here a few months ago. A squad of Sunagakure ninja attacked then, but we repelled them," Kyoichi nodded.

After the war ended, this area began to gradually recover, and many trade routes started to be rebuilt.

However.

Due to its proximity to the Land of Rain and the Land of Rivers, bandits and rogue ninja frequently appeared here. Before, with the Konoha ninja army deterring them, there was no need to worry.

But now that the army has withdrawn and there are no ninja stationed around, with only a few patrolling the borders, these bandits have started causing trouble and looting again. The town mayor had no choice but to post a mission.

Kyoichi leaned against the wall, secretly using Chakra Sensing.

"Found them!"

In the direction of the Land of Rivers, there was indeed a group of bandits composed of wandering samurai. Moreover, these wandering samurai were very bold; they were still loitering around after several raids.

Judging by their appearance, they seemed to be raiding again.

"Teacher, what do we do now?"

Kurenai Yuhi looked around.

Many people were repairing the streets nearby, and the damaged roads were slowly being mended. After a month, most areas had actually been repaired.

She sensed that there were no enemies around for the moment and didn't know what to do.

"No need to rush. Let's look around and survey the terrain," Kyoichi said.

If this were solely his mission, he would just charge in and finish them off easily. But leading a team...

He glanced at the three children.

After pondering for a moment, Kyoichi said, "For missions ranked C or above, there's a possibility of combat. You must be prepared to fight and kill at all times. Also, if I were to let you command, what would you do?"

"First, we'd survey the terrain, set up traps, and prepare defenses," Asuma answered without hesitation.

This was something from a book.

It was fine, but...

"Where would we set up traps?"

"Here?"

Asuma hesitated, unable to come up with an answer immediately.

This was a lack of experience.

Shisui pondered for a moment and said, "To the west. There's no ninja village in the Land of Rivers, so there are many wandering samurai and rogue ninja. These people can easily form bandit groups, and patrols usually focus on this direction."

"Not bad. Your guard team taught you a lot beforehand," Kyoichi exclaimed.

The Uchiha clan was arrogant, but they were indeed powerful. It was a shame that there were too many hawks within the clan. Especially after the Nine-Tails' Night, even Fugaku found it difficult to suppress them.

He looked at the three and said, "You three go scout the west and set up traps. If you encounter enemies, you can judge for yourselves whether to engage. Remember what I taught you; there shouldn't be any major problems."

"Yes!"

The three acknowledged the order and left.

Kyoichi secretly followed them. At the same time, he created a Shadow Clone and sent it towards the area where people were building walls and streets. To restore Baiyun Town, simply repelling bandits wouldn't be enough.

This ninja profession isn't that easy to get by.

Shisui and the other two were slowly patrolling and scouting, while Kyoichi took out a book to read.

"Cell Theory."

He had borrowed it from the Third Hokage and would read it in his spare time. With the "Basic Medical Knowledge" he received as a system reward, this book wasn't too difficult to understand.

Recently, he had made some progress with his Activation Technique. The skin actually had a certain respiratory ability, but it absorbed an extremely small amount of oxygen, insufficient to meet his needs.

But what if he enhanced cell activity?

If the activity was enhanced, could he breathe through his skin, increasing absorption efficiency and the intensity of whole-body activation?

Experiments showed it was indeed feasible.

The higher the level of the Seven Heavenly Breathing Methods, the stronger the skin's respiratory effect.

Although he hadn't reached the level of Fourth Activation yet, he felt his direction was correct. Additionally, exploring the lower limits, he aimed to activate skin activity first, then gradually activate blood and muscles.

This way, the stripped-down Activation Technique might just work!

The theory is sound.

However.

Implementing it isn't so simple; there's the issue of incomplete activation, which Kyoichi has been diligently studying lately.

Of course.

Deeper research into cells, and later Hashirama Cells, taijutsu, Medical Ninjutsu, and more can all be utilized.

A massive profit!

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

"Found them?"

The enemy was still two to three kilometers away from Kurenai Yuhi, but she had been signaling earlier, kunai and shuriken held in her hands.

Kyoichi wasn't too worried.

Over the past ten-plus days, Kurenai Yuhi's Body Flicker Technique had become quite proficient, Asuma had mastered Vacuum Blade, and although Shisui received the least direct guidance, his swordsmanship and Body Flicker Technique had improved significantly.

The three of them had enough strength; it all depended on whether they would falter during their first kill.

Kyoichi's main body was following to prevent any accidents.

The three of them converged and moved towards the group of wandering samurai, clearly having spotted the enemy.

Three kilometers...

"Later, I can consider teaching her Chakra Sensing. I wonder if she can learn it."

Chakra Sensing and Kurenai Yuhi's own sensory abilities were slightly different.

Kurenai Yuhi's perception was related to her strong mental power, honed from years of studying Genjutsu from a young age, making her senses more precise within a small range. Chakra Sensing, on the other hand, covered a larger area, with slightly less precision at close range.

Each had its own advantages and disadvantages.

The distance between the two sides grew shorter, and the bandits, formed by the wandering samurai, gradually came into view. They were blood-stained and carried bags at their waists, clearly having robbed a lot of money, and possibly having just killed someone.

Shisui and the others hid within the forest where traps had been laid. A moment later...

The sound of explosions rang out.

"What a waste!"

Kyoichi sighed.

These few Explosive Tags cost more than the reward for completing a C-rank mission. Only these second-generation ninjas had this much money; normal civilian Genin wouldn't.

However.

It was their first time, so it was understandable.

"Careful, there are ninjas!"

After the initial chaos, Shisui and the other two attacked.

The usual tactic.

Great Fireball, Great Breakthrough.

Flames swept through, further disorienting the already chaotic group of wandering samurai. Kurenai Yuhi chose her moment and threw a shuriken, taking down two or three lives directly.

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

The scene was quite shocking.

"Go!"

Asuma reacted quickly, forming hand seals with gritted teeth, and exhaled Wind Release chakra onto his kunai.

Vacuum Blade!

Then, holding his kunai, he charged forward first.

"I, I'll cover with Genjutsu!"

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

"They're just three kids, kill them!"

When the wandering samurai saw they were only three children, they felt emboldened and regained their fighting spirit.

However.

The next moment, Shisui arrived, arriving at the battlefield before Asuma.

Clone Technique, Transformation Jutsu.

Then, Shisui blended into the enemy ranks, continuously assassinating with his Body Flicker Technique and swordsmanship.

"Fall back, form a circle, or you'll all die!"

The enemy adjusted their formation, backing into each other, and drawing their samurai swords.

Kurenai Yuhi's Genjutsu was activated.

At the same time, Asuma closed in, his kunai slicing directly towards the opponent's vital points. Empowered by Vacuum Blade, this strike pierced the target's heart, splattering blood all over his face.

The next moment, three or four swords swung at him.

There was no fancy footwork, just attacks aimed at vital spots. Asuma was momentarily stunned.

"Asuma!"

Kurenai Yuhi quickly threw a shuriken.

Shisui attacked, heading towards one of the opponents.

But.

These wandering samurai showed no concern for their teammates. They were willing to get injured, to let their comrades die, determined to kill Asuma with fierce, murderous intent.

Fighting for their lives!

This was the battlefield.

The opponents' sword slashes were fast, disregarding refined swordsmanship, focusing only on speed, precision, and lethality – trading injuries!

Asuma lost his composure.

Just as he was about to be struck...

Clang!

A flash of sword light cut through, and all the samurai swords aimed at Asuma snapped in two.

The next moment, blood splattered.