Danger Approaches

The group was startled and quickly looked around, but found no trace of Sasuke.

"Over there!"

Just then, Hinata, with her Byakugan activated, pointed in one direction and exclaimed, "Sasuke seems to be fighting two unknown monsters!"

Hearing this, everyone's expressions changed, and they became vigilant.

"Ino, contact Naruto through Empathic Mark, and you two go chase Naruto first. I'll help Sasuke deal with the enemies and find you immediately after."

Yamei gave instructions at this moment and suddenly moved towards Sasuke's location.

The situation with Naruto's enemies was unknown, so it was best for all of them to go together and look out for each other.

As for Sasuke, he alone would be enough.

Knowing that Yamei and Sasuke were both very strong, the others didn't argue and began to act as Yamei had instructed.

"Hey, you there, stop!!"

In the dense forest, Naruto looked angrily at the armored youth running away in front of him.

Just now, while he and Sasuke were patrolling the camp, two Armored Persons had suddenly appeared and launched a surprise attack on them!

After Sasuke lured the Armored Persons away, he rushed into the camp to notify everyone of the enemy, but at that moment, this knight youth suddenly appeared!

He pointed a long sword directly at Naruto and fired an energy attack! If Naruto hadn't reacted quickly, he could have been seriously injured!

At this moment, he also saw that his companions were awake, and the youth was trying to escape. How could Naruto let him get away? He chased after him.

After all, this guy here wasn't like those cold iron lumps; he was a real person! Capturing him might be the key to investigating everything!

This was a great opportunity for him to prove himself! After all, yesterday he had confidently declared that the mission would be over today.

"Naruto, report your location, we're behind you!" Ino's voice echoed in his mind.

Naruto was startled, and after reacting, he immediately replied, "We're heading towards the sea! This guy is so fast! Hurry up!"

After speaking, Naruto accelerated a bit more.

"Lightning God's Thunderclap!"

Instantly, a thunderous roar exploded. The knight youth in front raised his long sword, and a powerful energy wave attacked him!

"Rasengan!"

A shadow clone of Naruto appeared beside him, quickly forming a ball in its hand and slamming it forward fiercely! Meanwhile, the main body leaped over the explosion to continue the pursuit.

"Damn it! Can't shake him? Looks like I have to take him to the fortress!" The knight youth glared at Naruto behind him with a grim expression and moved rapidly.

After a while, the front finally opened up, the dense forest disappeared, and it turned into a beach!

On the sea, a huge Sea Fortress was docked, and below on the beach, Armored Persons were busy.

The youth's face lit up with joy. He glared fiercely at Naruto behind him and then ran towards the fortress.

At this moment, Naruto also rushed out onto the beach and immediately saw the massive Sea Fortress!

"What... what the hell is that thing! It's so big!!"

Naruto's expression was one of horror, but when he saw the youth rapidly approaching the fortress, his heart became anxious.

"Damn it! How can I let you escape!! Multiple Shadow Clone Technique!"

Naruto clones appeared one after another, holding hands and throwing each other forward like skipping stones towards the fleeing figure.

One after another, Naruto clones were thrown forward, blocking the youth's path. The youth's expression turned fierce: "You forced my hand! Lightning God's Thunderclap!"

Furious energy continuously impacted the surroundings, transforming into bolts of lightning! The sounds of shadow clones dissipating could be heard incessantly.

The huge commotion also attracted the attention of the Armored Persons on the shore! Their scarlet eyes all fixed on the scene.

"Soldiers!"

The youth roared, and the Armored Persons instantly jolted. They each took out a large iron hammer from their backs and charged towards the youth's location.

"Not good!!"

Naruto had just stabilized himself when a large iron hammer, carrying a heavy gust of wind, smashed down towards him!

Boom!

A huge pit suddenly appeared on the ground. The soldier stared blankly at Naruto's corpse in the pit...

Bang...

A log!

Before the soldier could react, a powerful force appeared on its left.

"Take this!"

Boom!!

A distorted, violent force created a large hole in its hard body, and it collapsed powerlessly. However, the hand was still struggling!

"So tenacious!"

Naruto's mind jolted as he looked at the dozens of strange armored soldiers surrounding him.

"Wind Style: Thousand Faces Wind!"

Naruto didn't dare to be careless. He formed hand seals and unleashed an area-of-effect Ninjutsu!

Hundreds and thousands of small wind blades materialized and continuously blew towards the armored figures!

The wind blades, capable of tearing through large trees, only managed to leave shallow gashes on their bodies!

These soldiers, seemingly unfazed by pain, continued to advance with their iron hammers, their eyes glowing crimson.

"Naruto! Watch out!!"

Just then, Sakura's startled cry came from behind!

Naruto felt an extreme sense of danger surge through him. He looked up and saw a soldier suddenly flash and appear right next to him, a massive iron hammer smashing down, stirring up a slight breeze that brushed his face!

"It's over!!"

Naruto's heart sank...

"Shadow Imitation Technique!"

The iron hammer stopped just a finger's width from his face. A gentle breeze ruffled his golden hair...

"Phew... glad I made it in time!"

Shikamaru let out a long sigh of relief. Choji, Ino, and the others appeared behind him, their gazes fixed on the scene with grave concern.

"Sakura, Shikamaru, you finally made it! These guys must be the masterminds behind this! If we take them down, our mission will be complete!!" Naruto exclaimed excitedly.

Shikamaru's lips twitched slightly at his words. He looked at the massive fortress and said sternly:

"Naruto! Get over here quickly! This mission might be beyond our rank! We need to retreat immediately!"

"Trying to leave? We haven't agreed to that yet."

Before Naruto could reply, a playful voice rang out. Everyone looked up to see a young man and a woman in armor slowly appearing.

"Timsi, this little brat did this to you? This doesn't seem like you!"

The woman sized Naruto up and shook her head at the boy beside her.

"Rank, now is not the time for this. This guy has a strange power about him, a very powerful one."

Timsi's eyes flickered with a hint of fervor. "We can capture him and take him to Lord Hyde. Perhaps he can join us in achieving our ideals!"

The woman named Rank nodded. "I see it. I think Lord Hyde will indeed be interested."

"Hey, hey, hey!! Are you guys not taking me, the person involved, seriously?!" Naruto pointed at the two of them, clearly annoyed.

Rank paused, then sneered, "Kid, are you going to resist? What will you use to resist?"

As she spoke, a terrifying lightning pressure suddenly erupted from Rank!

"So strong!"

Naruto's heart immediately pounded in shock. Shikamaru and the others behind him also changed expression.

In that very instant, Rank suddenly attacked, charging towards Naruto!

"Not good!"

Shikamaru and the others' faces fell. They used the Body Flicker Technique and rushed forward.

However, the surrounding soldiers had already intercepted them, giving them no chance to get through.