In the dense forest of Land of Fire Border, the night is as dark as ink, and only the occasional moonlight casts mottled light and shadow through the gaps in the leaves.
The ten-member Anbu team led by Hatake Sakumo is escorting Daimyo of the Land of Fire's mother, an old but majestic Old Lady.
Follow the hidden path.
Old Lady was sitting on a simple sedan chair with a calm expression, as if he was unaware of the dangers around him.
"Captain, there are chakra fluctuations ahead!"
A Anbu Ninja suddenly reminded in a low voice, his eyes under the mask were as sharp as an eagle.
Hatake Sakumo raised his hand to signal the team to stop, and his right hand quietly held the White Fang short knife behind him.
The blade of the blade glowed slightly with chakra, and an icy aura instantly filled the air.
Hatake Sakumo
"Everyone is on alert to protect the client."
Before he finished speaking, dozens of Kunai shot out from the darkness, pointing directly at the sedan chair in the center of the team!
"Earth Release, Earth Style: Earth Flow Wall!"
A Anbu Ninja quickly Hand Seals, and a thick earth wall rose from the ground, blocking most of the attacks.
However, there were still several Kunais that penetrated the defense and headed towards Old Ladys.
Hatake Sakumo's figure flashed, and White Fang's short sword drew several rays of cold light in the air, cutting down all Kunai's.
His eyes were cold and locked on the enemy deep in the woods.
"Sunagakure's ninja... why are they here?"
As an old rival who has fought against Sand Ninja for a long time, Hatake Sakumo will naturally not admit his mistake.
Is this a coincidence, or did someone do it on purpose?
Sand Ninjas poured out from all directions, whistling Wind Blades in their hands, kicking up dust all over the sky.
Hatake Sakumo's White Fang dagger turned into a streak of silver lightning in the moonlight, taking away an enemy's life with every swing.
His movements were crisp and neat, without any sloppiness, as if the god of death was coming.
"Don't scatter!"
Hatake Sakumo shouted sharply.
At the same time, he slashed the throat of one Sand Ninja with a knife, and blood spattered on his clothes, adding to the murderous atmosphere.
Team Anbu cooperated tacitly and surrounded Old Lady in the center to form a defensive formation while fighting and retreating.
However, the number of enemies far exceeded expectations, and the battle lasted for a full quarter of an hour before the entire wave of Sand Ninja was finally annihilated.
Hatake Sakumo gasped and scanned the battlefield.
Two people in the Anbu team were injured. One of them had his arm cut open by Wind Blade, and blood stained half of his body.
He frowned.
There were so many ninjas just now, and the number of casualties on our side seems to be out of proportion!
"Captain, I'm afraid our whereabouts have been leaked."
A Anbu Ninja came to Hatake Sakumo and whispered with suppressed anger in his tone.
Not waiting for Hatake Sakumo to speak.
The man directly took the knife in his hand and stabbed Hatake Sakumo.
Hatake Sakumo was on guard for a long time and avoided the attack with every possible chance.
The White Fang in his hand was shining brightly, and he slashed his body with his backhand.
There was no sound of a knife entering flesh, but a strange rattling sound.
The face of the "ninja" in front of him began to cake and crack, revealing his true face.
It turned out to be a Human Puppet.
"Over there!"
Hatake Sakumo Without any hesitation.
Kill directly towards the west.
Following several screams, the forest fell into silence again.
Hatake Sakumo Seeing that there was no longer a threat, White Fang put away White Fang and glanced at the tired team members.
Although they were wearing masks, the fatigue and nervousness in their eyes could not be concealed.
He took a deep breath and suppressed the uneasiness in his heart.
"Keep going, but slow down and be alert."
The team set off again. However, only half an hour later, the second wave of attacks followed.
This time, the enemy was more cunning, using traps and poisonous fog to disrupt Anbu's formation.
Hatake Sakumo's White Fang dagger drew streaks of light in the poisonous mist, killing Sand Ninja's sneak attack one by one, but his heart became heavier and heavier.
"If this continues... we won't be able to survive the Land of Fire mansion."
"My actions here should be completely exposed!"
He thought to himself.
After the battle, Anbu team added five more wounded, one of whom was unconscious due to poisoning.
Hatake Sakumo was half-kneeling on the ground, checking the injuries of the team members, frowning.
He raised his head and looked into the distance. The night was still dark, as if it contained endless murderous intent.
"Captain, the goal of these Sand Ninja is very clear, they are here for Old Lady."
A Anbu Captain walked beside him with a deep voice.
"Captain, we must speed up and complete the task as soon as possible!"
Hatake Sakumo glanced at him, and no one knew the expression behind the mask.
He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but in the end he just nodded.
"... keep going."
The team set off again, but Hatake Sakumo's heart felt like it was falling into an ice cellar.
He knew that with the team's current condition, if they were attacked again, they would probably be wiped out.
He glanced at Old Lady on the sedan chair. Her expression was still calm, as if she had long been indifferent to life and death.
"Are we really going to let our brothers die for the mission?"
He questioned himself in his mind.
The third wave of attacks came faster than expected.
This time, Sand Ninja has more numbers and the attack is more intense.
Hatake Sakumo's White Fang dagger danced on the battlefield in a silver light. Enemies fell one after another wherever it passed, but his physical strength was also rapidly depleted.
In order to protect Old Lady, a Anbu Ninja was penetrated through the chest by Wind Blade and died on the spot.
"Asshole!"
Hatake Sakumo roared, chakra exploded, White Fang's short sword glowed brightly, and killed three Sand Ninja with one blow.
However, the enemy's offensive has not stopped.
After the battle, only six members of the Anbu team were left, four of whom were injured.
Hatake Sakumo stood in a pool of blood, the White Fang short knife in his hand trembling slightly.
He looked at his fallen companions and felt helpless in his heart.
"Captain, the mission is the most important!"
The Anbu Captain spoke again with a firm voice.
"We are ninjas, and it is an honor to sacrifice for the mission!"
Hatake Sakumo was silent for a long time, and finally slowly took off his mask, revealing a tired but determined face.
He looked at the remaining team members and said hoarsely.
"No, no matter how important the mission is, it is not as important as my brother's life."
Everyone was stunned, not expecting Captain, who always puts mission first, to say such a thing.
Hatake Sakumo took a deep breath and made a decision.
"Abandon the mission and escort Old Lady back to Konoha. I will explain everything to Lord Hokage."
Anbu Little Captain wanted to say something else, but the look in Hatake Sakumo's eyes made him shut up.
The team changed direction and retreated in the direction of Konoha.
However, the moment they turned around, the fourth wave of Sand Ninja came out of the dense forest, led by a Jonin wearing Sand Ninja Forehead Protector, sneered.
"Hatake Sakumo, do you think you can still leave?"
Hatake Sakumo gripped the White Fang dagger tightly, a trace of determination flashed in his eyes.
"Then... let's fight until the end."
The battle broke out again, and the light of the White Fang dagger illuminated the entire forest.
His figure shuttled through the enemy formation like a ghost, and every strike carried the will to kill.
However, the number of enemies was too great, and Team Anbu was gradually forced into a desperate situation.
Just at the critical moment, a clear shout suddenly came from the woods.
"Fire Style, Great Fireball Technique!"
The blazing fireball fell from the sky and swallowed up several Sand Ninja.
Hatake Sakumo looked up and saw a familiar figure standing on the treetops, Chiyo Uchiha!
"It seems that I came at just the right time."
Chiyo smiled slightly, and Three Tomoe Sharingan in his eyes slowly turned.