Ambushed

Five days had passed since Zhou Duan joined the supply squad. Sitting on the supply cart, looking at Nawaki groaning in pain with a bruised and swollen face, Zhou Duan calmly spoke to the system in his mind:

"System, the clinical trials for the Masochistic Potion are complete. Begin recording!"

"Beep!"

The familiar sound echoed in Zhou Duan's mind, righteously criticizing him as a scoundrel:

"To test an experimental new potion with unknown effects, you actually had the nerve to say it was for Nawaki's own good. Researcher, I have to say, you're a real piece of scum!"

"Heh!"

Zhou Duan chuckled dismissively:

"Nawaki's fine, isn't he? On the contrary, his fundamental abilities have indeed improved. Yes, I admit the potion has some side effects, but they aren't major problems, are they?"

"Beep, Researcher, doesn't your conscience hurt after doing something like this?"

"My heart is unmoved, and I even feel a sliver of joy at the impending system reward!"

"...Beep!"

Unable to tolerate Zhou Duan's shamelessness, the system decided to drop the topic:

"Researcher, please describe the clinical results of the Masochistic Potion. The system will begin recording!"

"Masochistic Potion

Potion Formula: Blood-Burning Grass, Elderwood, Ivy, Blackberry Lily Leaf...

Applicable Subjects: Senju Clan Wood Release Kekkei Genkai ninjas, under eleven years old, male;

First, the Masochistic Potion takes effect five seconds after consumption;

Second, after consuming the Masochistic Potion, it stimulates the user's entire Chakra and powerful active cells within the body to rapidly repair physical damage. The repair extent includes muscle strains, tears, lacerations no more than five centimeters, and minor bone fractures;

Third, after consuming the Masochistic Potion, as long as there is residual Chakra in the body and the damage is not severe, it can be used repeatedly for a short period!

Side Effects: After taking the potion, the user will experience intense battlelust and masochistic tendencies, craving any attack directed at their body. Long-term use can lead to self-harm!"

"Beep, Masochistic Potion recorded successfully. Researcher - Zhou Duan.

System Reward - A set of Soluble Internal Capsules, complete with manufacturing instructions!"

"Soluble Internal Capsules, a set of twelve. Potions can be placed inside the capsules and implanted within the body. The capsules will dissolve rapidly when stimulated by Chakra, and they enhance the diffusion of the potion. Furthermore, only the researcher and the capsule user can detect the capsule's presence!"

"What a great item!"

Zhou Duan looked at the box of capsules that had just appeared in his hand, extremely satisfied:

"No extra movements needed, and enemies can't detect it. This is practically tailor-made for the battlefield. And it even comes with manufacturing instructions! Not bad, I really struck gold!"

Zhou Duan's excitement didn't last long. The faint outline of a village appearing ahead made him put away the capsules and become serious. It was wartime, and a supply hub like Bee Village required strict security. There would surely be many inspection procedures to go through. Although he had no problems himself, Zhou Duan didn't want to cause any trouble due to his own oversight!

"Something's wrong!"

Karui, who was leading the way, suddenly stopped:

"It's time. Noda's third patrol team hasn't returned yet. The Hyuga family's!"

"Byakugan!"

Upon hearing Karui's command, Hyuga Hyakusho immediately activated his Byakugan:

"We're surrounded! The enemy is approaching from four directions, about five hundred meters away. Judging by their Chakra, there are three Jonin and over ten Chunin. Only the southeast direction currently has no Jonin; that's our weak point!"

"Abandon all supplies! Everyone, immediately break through towards the southeast! After breaking through, disperse and retreat, then rendezvous at the previously agreed-upon defensive point! Summoning Bees Technique!"

Karui cursed his bad luck, formed hand seals, took a deep breath, and exhaled a large cloud of smoke that enveloped the surroundings. The smoke, carried by the wind, also stirred up countless bees around Bee Village!

"This won't hold them for long, retreat quickly!"

"Wind Release - Great Breakthrough!"

"Fire Release - Flame Star Technique!"

"Fire Release - Fire Dragon Tornado!"

Karui's judgment was correct. In just a moment, the Sand Ninja from the Land of Wind arrived at the location where the supply team had been. After a few C-rank ninjutsu, the smoke and bees were completely dispersed!

"Their alertness is quite high!"

A Jonin with a long scar across his face, watching the retreating figures of the Leaf ninja, revealed a bloodthirsty expression like a hunter pursuing prey:

"It hasn't been that long since we dealt with that small squad of ninja, and they already discovered us so quickly!"

"They can't escape!"

A Jonin with only one eye remaining spat contemptuously:

"Most of us here are Wind Release ninja who excel at speed. They're dead against our pursuit!"

"Stop the nonsense!"

The last Jonin among them spoke:

"The ninjutsu just used will quickly attract the attention of the Leaf, as this area is closer to the Leaf Village. Let's finish this quickly; we're not here to play around!"

A Jonin waved his hand, shooting out a kunai that pierced the throat of a supply transport prisoner trying to escape. He said in a chilling tone:

"The three of us Jonin will pursue the single Jonin in that team. The rest of you, choose your own targets and be sure to end the battle as quickly as possible!"

"Yes!"

Accompanied by the sounds of blades slicing through flesh and the flames of burning supplies, the Sand Ninja of the Land of Wind turned into streaks of black shadows, speeding towards the team's direction!

The tree shadows in the forest rapidly receded as Zhou Duan led Nawaki and the other two in a frantic sprint. From time to time, they could hear Hyuga Hyakusho reporting the enemy's location and Zhou Duan issuing orders to change their route!

"I'm not reconciled!"

Nawaki let out a roar of unwillingness as they ran:

"Zhou Duan, let's fight! Being chased like stray dogs, fleeing in such a sorry state, I won't accept it!"

"Shut up, idiot!"

The situation was critical, and Zhou Duan didn't hold back his words with Nawaki:

"I don't know what's gotten into the Sand Ninja, but they've split into four squads to chase us. Four times the manpower and four Jonin, and you still want to fight? What makes you think you can?"

"Of course, it's with the belief that we can defeat any enemy, no matter how powerful!"

"Holy crap!"

Hearing Nawaki's words, Hyuga Hyakusho stumbled and almost fell off the tree:

"Four squads, and we'll defeat them? Nawaki, isn't your belief a bit over the top? Has your brain been fried?"

Water Gate, who had known Nawaki's personality for a while, clearly wasn't focused on that:

"Captain, the distance between us and the pursuing Sand Ninja is gradually closing. What do we do?"

"Do you even need to ask?"

Nawaki was still roaring in discontent:

"Of course, we fight with all we've got!"

"Shut up, only an idiot would fight!"

Zhou Duan took out a bottle of potion, immediately silencing Nawaki, who had psychological trauma:

"However..."

A sinister smile appeared on Zhou Duan's lips. He smashed the potion bottle against a tree, and a large amount of smoke spread out, immediately attaching itself to the Sand Ninja who couldn't dodge in time during their pursuit:

"I don't plan on letting them chase us like this any longer!"