Leaf Village: I, Uchiha, am done lying flat!

Their group had relied on the Nara clan's secret technique to scout out the enemy's movements in advance.

Though it was not as convenient as the Byakugan, it was better than nothing.

As for Uchiha Jin?

He had not revealed his Sharingan. Pure Taijutsu and Fire Release alone were enough to make him the captain.

The reason was simple.

The three of them might be cooperating well now, but that was only because the threat of death had forced them to do so.

Once they were truly safe, who knew what each of them would be thinking?

Nara Kazama was somewhat more trustworthy.

The two of them each had dirt on the other. Unless major interests were involved, neither would betray the other.

But Kudo Shin was another matter.

He was merely a civilian ninja. After countless brushes with death and endless hard work, he had barely managed to obtain an Earth Style Ninjutsu.

And even that was only C-rank!

Before great clans like Uchiha Jin and Nara Kazama, it was practically a joke.

A civilian ninja like him would be ridiculously easy to buy off.

Just two or three C-rank Ninjutsu would be enough for him to sell the two of them out completely.

Give him a B-rank Ninjutsu, and he would probably kneel down and call them Dad.

As for killing him?

Neither of them had ever considered it!

It was not because they were kind, nor because they shared any Bonds.

First of all, if one wanted to survive in the Ninja World, kindness was irrelevant.

It only appeared in the weak, or in those who were absolutely powerful.

Either they were civilian ninja brainwashed by the higher-ups, or powerhouses like Hashirama Senju, or Children of Prophecy like Naruto Uzumaki. At the very least, they had to be second-generation heirs with influential backers.

Other than such people, no one else had the right to be kind.

Was Kakashi Hatake kind?

In Hiruzen Sarutobi's hands, he was simply a ninja of the darkness. If Hiruzen told him to kill someone, he killed them!

Right and wrong did not matter at all.

Was Minato Namikaze kind?

Even after becoming the Fourth Hokage, there were things Hiruzen Sarutobi would not allow him to do, and he never managed to do them before the day he died.

He had not even fully taken control of the Hokage's Anbu!

If even someone like him could not be called kind, then Uchiha Jin and Nara Kazama certainly could not.

Bonds were even more ridiculous!

Before they had ever met, they had all already been shrewd old foxes who understood everything.

In just a few days of contact, they had been plotting against one another at every turn. They had cooperated for only a few days, and they already had Bonds?

What a joke!

Unless it was a specially cultivated elite team, there was no point in dreaming of Bonds.

They did not kill Kudo Shin because of interests.

Whether it was Nara Kazama or Uchiha Jin, both had their own secrets.

Even if they revealed a little of their strength, they could conceal it under the cover of war. As long as they did not expose their greatest combat power, they would not attract the village's attention.

At most, they would rise from cannon fodder to ordinary ninja.

But if both civilian ninja died, alerting the village that something was wrong, and the Anbu thoroughly investigated the two of them—perhaps even retracing everything from their childhoods onward—then they would truly be finished!

People were not gods.

Even Uchiha Jin did not dare guarantee that he had never made a mistake in this life, or that he could withstand the village's investigation.

Therefore.

It was better to keep Kudo Shin alive.

"Careful. Pay attention."

"There are two Mist Village squads ahead. Their Chakra levels are average, so they are most likely ordinary squads."

Nara Kazama suddenly spoke.

Hearing that, Kudo Shin could not help looking at Uchiha Jin.

Clearly.

After several days of working together and countless successful escapes, Uchiha Jin had proven himself.

Hearing this.

Uchiha Jin did not hesitate.

"The usual."

"Kazama and I will work together. Shin, stay hidden and finish them off!"

"Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!"

His hands formed seals, and seven fireballs shot out in succession, scattering toward the Mist Village ninja.

Nara Kazama did not waste any words either.

"Wind Style: Crushing Damage!"

A massive Wind Style attack formed, shredding the dead branches around them and shattering the ground as it converged with the Phoenix Sage Fire.

The fire borrowed the wind's might and swept through everything.

Centered on the Mist Village squad, the area within a dozen meters was instantly annihilated.

Several Mist Genin died completely in a single strike.

Only the remaining two Mist Chunin barely managed to endure the attack.

"These are... Leaf Village ninja!" a Mist Chunin said through gritted teeth.

His eyes were filled with hatred.

His older brother had died at the hands of Leaf Village ninja.

At that moment, he wanted revenge.

But before he could make a move, Kudo Shin struck from behind, his Kunai slicing straight across the man's throat.

He died.

Just as the remaining Chunin tried to flee, Uchiha Jin threw a Kunai that pierced directly through his heart.

"Seal the heads. Retreat!"

Uchiha Jin spoke calmly.

Nara Kazama and Kudo Shin merely nodded before starting on their own tasks.

After several days of cooperation, they had long become accustomed to this routine.

But just then.

A chubby Mist Ninja emerged with a grim expression, carrying an enormous blade that looked least like a sword.

"Great Sword, Samehada—Suikazan Fuguki!" Nara Kazama cried out.

His face turned deathly pale.

Facing this renowned Jonin among the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, he did not believe they could handle him.

Uchiha Jin's expression shifted slightly.

If he truly unleashed his full strength, then even against one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen before him, he was confident that even if he could not kill the man, defeating him would not be difficult.

But he could not!

His true strength absolutely could not be exposed here.

"Run!"

The moment he spoke, he immediately fled.

Nara Kazama had long been prepared. As soon as Uchiha Jin spoke, he began running without another word.

At that moment, he truly erupted with all his strength.

But unfortunately.

The two of them could escape, but Kudo Shin was far too lacking.

Frightened senseless, he could not even bring out half of his usual strength.