This Time I've Encountered an Expert

"Teacher, it seems there are indeed enemy ninjas, but they don't seem to want to fight."

Kurenai Yuhi was confused.

These enemy ninjas didn't seem to intend to engage Konoha. Whenever Team 7 advanced, they would retreat a few steps, constantly evading, completely unwilling to encounter Team 7.

"You guys take the kunai and the intelligence scrolls."

Kyoichi handed the Flying Thunder God Kunai to Asuma. "This is Senior Minato's Flying Thunder God Formula. You should rendezvous with Minato and give him the intelligence scroll. I'll go ahead and check."

"Teacher, why don't you take them? At least that way, Senior Minato can support you..."

Asuma was a little worried.

What if Kyoichi went alone and encountered danger?

"It's fine, I'm just going to gather intelligence. If I can't win, I can run."

Kyoichi patted his shoulder, then used the Body Flicker Technique to rush forward.

Ahead.

Minato Namikaze also sensed the presence of those ninjas. If it were just him and Kakashi, he would definitely have charged forward to investigate.

But besides the two of them, Obito and Rin were also present.

Obito and Rin were rookies and couldn't handle a complex battlefield environment. He considered the situation and ultimately did not go to investigate alone.

"Teacher, how about I go take a look?"

Kakashi asked in a low voice.

He was a Chunin.

In terms of strength, besides Minato Namikaze, he was the strongest in the squad.

"Our mission is to help the village clear out bandits. These ninjas have nothing to do with us, so let's not stir up trouble."

Minato shook his head.

Just then.

A hint of surprise appeared on his face.

What is this?

His own Flying Thunder God Formula.

He landed and used his sensing technique to scan the surroundings. A hint of joy appeared on his face.

"Teacher, what happened?"

Rin also noticed something was wrong.

Since a moment ago, Minato Namikaze and Kakashi's expressions seemed particularly solemn.

"It's nothing. Another squad is approaching us. If I'm not mistaken, it should be the First Squad. They're bringing my special kunai, likely to support us."

Minato Namikaze breathed a sigh of relief.

Kyoichi had arrived!

And.

Judging by the positions of Kyoichi and the other three, they had made a decision to split up, with one person going to investigate the ninja situation while the others went to inform them.

This way, he wouldn't have to struggle with whether or not to go investigate.

"Huh? Why are they coming to support us? Is our mission that difficult?"

Obito looked bewildered.

"We'll know when they get here."

Minato Namikaze didn't explain, as he didn't know the origin of these ninjas either, which was why he was so cautious and didn't dare to advance.

A moment later.

Asuma and the other two arrived.

"Teacher Minato, we are here to reinforce you under orders from the village. We have information about the situation in the Land of Rivers. Here is the intelligence scroll."

Asuma handed over the scroll sealed with a sealing jutsu.

Minato Namikaze didn't say much. Such a seal implied that the intelligence was very important and could potentially affect Konoha's war effort.

He immediately used the unsealing technique to open the seal.

With just a glance, a solemn expression appeared on Minato's face.

"Amegakure!"

The Battle of Mount Kikyo had resulted in heavy losses for the Land of Wind, leading to many treaties with Konoha. It was impossible for them to be active in the Land of Rivers.

The other party was most likely from the Land of Rain.

During the Second Shinobi World War, Amegakure suffered heavy losses, but with Hanzo there, it was the strongest village outside the Five Great Shinobi Villages.

This was the weight of a demigod.

Minato Namikaze put away the intelligence scroll, his mind replaying the current war situation in the Ninja World. He had a pretty good guess about the village's status, and after a moment's thought, he asked, "Kyoichi went ahead?"

"Yes, Master went to scout the situation and instructed us to act with you and follow your arrangements," Kurenai Yuhi replied.

"Alright, the situation is unusual. We'll head to the mission location first. Once we confirm the bandits' strength, we'll make further plans."

This mission in the Land of Rivers was previously controlled by the Land of Wind. After the war, it was assigned to Konoha. Minato didn't want to give it up unless absolutely necessary.

As for the ninjas up ahead...

For now, he could only trust Kyoichi's abilities.

With no Genin holding him back, Kyoichi moved at incredible speed. Before long, he caught up to the group of ninjas.

These ninjas had the distinct characteristics of Amegakure.

Their identities were essentially confirmed.

Kyoichi pursued them, and they retreated. Both sides were moving fast—this meant the enemy had discovered his presence.

He'd run into a master this time!

He became even more cautious.

"I wonder who's leading them. Two people haven't moved; are they planning to cover the retreat?" Kyoichi frowned.

While pursuing from behind, he used Chakra Sensing to carefully scan his surroundings, avoiding any traps.

He approached the location and found that the two chakra signatures were coming from an unremarkable tree. However, upon closer inspection, he could tell the tree was a ninjutsu illusion.

Konan!

Kyoichi understood instantly.

He narrowed his eyes, pretending not to notice. He dashed forward a few more steps.

Suddenly, countless paper leaves flew out from all directions, surging towards him like a tidal wave.

Kyoichi noticed.

Although these paper leaves were numerous and sharp, there were no Explosive Tags mixed in—Konan was holding back.

However...

Even with her holding back, it wouldn't be enough to save his life.

Kyoichi quickly formed hand seals. In the blink of an eye, water walls rose around him.

"Jonin, cover us with Explosive Tags, let's go!" Yahiko immediately led Konan away when he saw the situation was unfavorable.

Konoha ninjas.

And...

Judging by the power of the Water Release, he was at least an elite Jonin!

While they weren't overly terrified, they didn't want to clash with Kyoichi.

This was also why Yahiko didn't let Nagato take his place—Nagato couldn't discern the situation, and if he accidentally injured a Konoha ninja, it would be hard to explain.

However...

The next moment, a water dragon roared forth, directly scattering the Explosive Tags and sweeping them towards Konan and Yahiko.

Water Dragon Bullet Technique!

"So fast!" Yahiko's expression changed.

He was also a Water Release user and knew how difficult the hand seals for the Water Dragon Bullet Technique were. Yet, Kyoichi had completed them in the blink of an eye.

This was an improved technique!

"I'll block it." The tree Konan was hiding in shattered, turning into countless folded papers, which eventually formed a shield.

The Water Dragon Bullet was incredibly powerful, but under the layers of paper shields, its impact force was gradually neutralized.

However...

A flash of sword light streaked through the air.

The paper shield was instantly sliced apart. The next moment, they saw a figure land in front of them, holding a sword crackling with lightning, his silver hair particularly striking.

"Minato Namikaze? No, Minato Namikaze has blonde hair. Who are you?"

So fast!

This was the second time Yahiko had been so amazed.

The first time, he was shocked by Kyoichi's hand seal speed, but this time, he was surprised by the speed of the Body Flicker Technique.

Konoha actually had a Jonin this fast besides Minato Namikaze.

"Konoha Jonin, Kanda Kyoichi. Who are you, and why are you entering the Land of Rivers?"

Kyoichi put on a serious face.

He naturally knew who they were, but the proper formalities still had to be observed.

Yahiko's hands were sweating.

With his and Konan's speed, they couldn't outrun him at all. And the opponent's strength was only showing a fraction of its capability. Honestly, even if he teamed up with Konan, he didn't have absolute confidence in winning.

Unless he called Nagato back.

But if it really came down to a fight for their lives, it wouldn't benefit either side.

His mind raced, thinking for a long time before finally speaking, "We are Amegakure ninja. We have no intention of offending Konoha by coming to the Land of Rivers; we merely wish to clear out the bandits causing trouble here."