Mission Complete and Surprise Attack

[Stop! Who are you people?]

As Haku and the other two had just arrived at the mountain, someone from the wooden house appeared and stopped their ascent.

[We are Ninja from Konoha, here on a mission.]

[Konoha Ninja! Did you bring the things?]

When Haku stated they were Konoha Ninja, the ninja on the mountain said something that stunned them. This meant the ninja knew Konoha people would come and bring things. Therefore, this ninja wasn't a mountain bandit, but likely a ninja from Amegakure, arranged by Hanzo to meet with Nobi O.

Although Haku knew this person's identity and what he wanted, he didn't want to get too involved. So, instead of answering, he asked another question.

[Have you seen any mountain bandits around here? We're here to eliminate them?]

Hearing Haku's words, the ninja became furious.

[Konoha truly doesn't intend to keep its promise. I told Lord Hanzo long ago that Konoha couldn't be trusted. You treacherous people.]

After speaking, he chose to commit suicide.

Looking at the ninja who had taken his own life, and after confirming he had no vital signs, Uchiha Yu used a Great Fireball Technique to burn the body to ashes.

Watching the flames, Hyuga Riko couldn't help but ask Haku and Uchiha Yu.

[Does this mean we've completed the mission?]

[Yes, we have completed the subjugation of the mountain bandits in the Land of Grass according to the mission scroll's requirements.]

Although puzzled by Hyuga Riko's eagerness to complete the mission, Uchiha Yu still gave him a clear answer.

[This is too close to the enemy-occupied stronghold. It's easy to be discovered here. Let's leave first and discuss our next move.]

Looking at Haku, who was staring blankly in front of the train, and Hyuga Riko, who was excited about completing the mission, Uchiha Yu felt it was better to leave first.

Although according to the current intelligence, the enemy at the Konoha stronghold had no connection to these fake mountain bandits, the distance between them was too close. The three of them set fire to this place to conceal some information, which could still be seen from the direction of the Konoha stronghold.

Upon hearing Uchiha Yu's words, Haku, who had been distracted by a System notification, immediately snapped back to attention.

[Ding? Detected source energy of absorbable chakra. Do you wish to absorb?]

[Absorbed 0.1 source chakra energy. Current total energy: 0.2.]

[I didn't kill anyone directly this time either! How can I absorb energy again? Does this mean I can absorb energy when someone related to me dies? Or does it mean I can absorb energy when someone dies near me?]

Facing Haku's confusion, the System still didn't respond. It seemed to be in hibernation.

[Hoo! Let's go!]

Haku, who had returned to his senses, let out a soft sigh.

Half a day later, within the Land of Fire, looking at the surrounding forest, the three of them felt slightly relaxed.

[The mountain bandit mission in the Land of Grass is complete. Should we return to the village to report, or should we investigate the enemy situation at that stronghold further?]

Hyuga Riko, as if eager to go home after completing a task, couldn't help but ask after a short rest.

Just as Haku was about to answer Hyuga Riko's question, he heard Uchiha Yu shout from beside him.

[Careful, enemy attack!]

[Earth Style: Rock Bullet!]

More than ten rocks flew towards the three of them. The moment the rocks hit the ground, a huge explosion sounded, followed by fire and a lot of smoke.

As the smoke cleared, the figures of the three appeared.

Thanks to Uchiha Yu's warning, the three had used the Body Flicker Technique to leave their original positions before the ninjutsu landed. However, they were still affected by the explosion caused by the Explosive Tags attached to the rocks.

All three sustained visible injuries. Uchiha Yu and Hyuga Riko were fine, with only minor scratches and burns.

But Haku, who was at the front, had a noticeable wound on his abdomen. It was caused by the explosion, which sent a large amount of debris flying. While blocking some of the debris for Hyuga Riko and Uchiha Yu, he was injured by a sharp piece of rock.

Although the bleeding had been temporarily stopped by Haku's muscles, he wouldn't be able to hold on for too long without treatment.

Despite the severe pain in his abdomen, Haku didn't dare to treat himself because the enemy who had ambushed them had appeared.

[Clap! Clap! Clap!]

Accompanied by a round of applause, a slightly disheveled figure emerged from the shadows of the forest.

[You Konoha brats are quite capable! You dodged that!]

[It's you!]

Looking at the person dressed as a Konoha ninja before them, the three recognized him as the enemy from Iwagakure, the one who had occupied their Konoha border stronghold.