The Ones with "I" in Their Names Were All Tough Customers

"First, this one."

Uchiha Mai spread out the first file and read aloud, "Chiba Shin'i. Male, approximately forty years old.

"He became a Jonin of Kumogakure ten years ago. He has an impressive combat record and is proficient in Wind Release, Water Style, and Lightning Style Nintaijutsu.

"A seasoned veteran. A tough customer."

Everyone knew that people from Kumogakure with "i" in their names tended to be formidable. Samui, Omoi, Karui, Darui...

Chiba Shin'i looked a little odd, and his name sounded oddly familiar, but he had that "i" too.

Troublesome.

Uchiha Mai opened the second scroll. "Whoa. This one's even more formidable.

"Toroi. Around thirty years old. Male. A Kumogakure Jonin with the Magnet Release Kekkei Genkai."

Hyuuga Kagetora's calf twitched.

A thirty-year-old ninja with a Kekkei Genkai was bound to be among the elite Jonin at the very least. Granted, they had the Byakugan and a bunch of Sharingan on their side...

But could young ninja with Kekkei Genkai really compare to one in his prime?

The third Jonin was named Nobuhiko. He was around twenty, held the rank of Special Jonin, and specialized in Lightning Style Nintaijutsu. Beyond that, there was little worth noting.

"A large force led by three Jonin, including a ninja with a Kekkei Genkai. This won't be easy."

Uchiha Mai tapped the file with his index finger and said, "But whatever happens, we have to hold them back for a while.

"At the very least, we can't let them march straight into the heart of the Land of Fire. If our superiors hold us responsible, neither of us will come out of it unscathed."

Even a token resistance would be better than nothing.

Hyuuga Kagetora nodded emphatically. "With our strength, wiping them out is out of the question. Even facing them head-on would