Junior Sister Terumi Mei

Might Duy was Konohagakure's strongest fighter of his generation, without question!

This Konohagakure genin, who had remained obscure all his life, taking on low-level missions like finding cats and manual labor, suddenly erupted during the Third Shinobi World War. By himself, he shattered the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, Kirigakure's top fighting force, completely throwing the village's plans into disarray.

Thinking of that outcome, Yoru did not even know what to say.

Stop the swordsmen from carrying out their mission?

The Mizukage's orders had already been issued. Stopping them was impossible. He himself still had to carry out a mission with virtually no chance of survival, and he had to leave at once. How could he possibly have time to worry about all that?

Besides, this was the Village Hidden in the Mist.

Unnecessary actions would only invite needless suspicion. Moreover, he was a Yuki whom his own clan disliked, one who had yet to awaken.

After destroying the mission Scroll, Yoru pushed open the door and walked out of the secret chamber.

"Order all members of First Squad to prepare their gear and gather at the training ground in ten minutes."

"Yes, Lord Yoru."

A respectful voice came from the darkness, accompanied by faint fluctuations of Chakra.

Ten minutes later, sixteen people stood before Yoru. Every one of them wore a sinister white-patterned mask.

To consolidate the village's development, the Second Mizukage, Hozuki Gengetsu, had modeled Kirigakure after the Second Hokage, Tobirama, establishing the Kirigakure Ninja Academy and ANBU. Thus, Kirigakure's ANBU organization was the same as Konohagakure's: four people per team, with four teams forming a squad.

Including Yoru, the Squad Leader, First Squad had seventeen members in total!

"Lord Yoru, First Squad has assembled."

"A secret order from Mizukage-sama."

Yoru swept his gaze across them, his voice icy.

"Destroy the supplies at the Konohagakure camp. Depart immediately!"

"Yes!"

Once Yoru gave the order, every ANBU squad member followed their respective team leader into action. No one voiced any objection.

These were the ninja raised by the Village Hidden in the Mist. Even when they knew a mission was sending them to their deaths, they would carry it out all the same—killing machines worthy of being called the finest in the shinobi world.

"Hey, Yoru."

Just as Yoru was about to set off, a cool young woman's voice stopped him.

At the entrance to the training ground, a figure with auburn hair and dressed in Kirigakure ANBU attire leaned against the doorframe. Watching Yoru emerge, she spoke softly.

"Can I come with you on this mission?"

"This is First Squad's mission, and you're the Squad Leader of Second Squad." Yoru calmly glanced at the figure before him. Though young, her figure was exceptionally graceful. "Besides, with the main force about to head to the front lines, you should have a mission of your own, shouldn't you, Terumi Mei?"

"Why call me Terumi Mei? That's so distant."

The girl gave a soft huff and muttered, "I just thought that we'd be separated for too long, and I'd feel a little reluctant to part with my senior brother."

Did you even believe that yourself?

At those words, the corner of Yoru's mouth twitched beneath his mask.

After graduating from the academy, he had caught the attention of Kirigakure elder Genji and been taken under his wing.

Terumi Mei had also been taken in that same year. However, since Yoru was two years older, he naturally became Terumi Mei's senior brother.

"Captain Terumi Mei, this is ANBU. Please address me as Captain Yoru."

"Fine, fine, Captain Yoru, Captain Yoru. But I absolutely don't want to work with that dead fatass, Suikazan Fuguki!"

The thought of her mission made Terumi Mei want to tear her hair out.

She was clearly a top combat genius with dual kekkei genkai, yet the Third Mizukage had assigned her to Second Squad, which handled intelligence. And her immediate superior was that dead fatass Suikazan Fuguki!

It was not that Terumi Mei had any issue with someone's weight. The main problem was that Suikazan Fuguki's hands were far too dirty. Though he was the deputy captain of the Intelligence Unit, he had repeatedly sold intelligence to other countries for personal gain.

Others might not have known about such behavior, but among the higher-ups, it was no secret. In any case, the intelligence was unimportant, so selling it was no big deal.

After all, who did not have a few shady business dealings on their hands?

But after Terumi Mei, who had only recently joined ANBU, learned of this, she had always held one of Kirigakure's famed Seven Ninja Swordsmen in deep contempt.

"Now that the village is at war with Konohagakure, intelligence is undoubtedly the most important link. You can't drop the ball just because of your little temper."

Yoru spoke calmly. "Your mission is to follow the main force to the front lines, scout the enemy's movements, gather information, and meet with Lord Yagura to complete the handover."

"I think you just look down on me!"

Terumi Mei snorted coldly. "You're a peerless genius on par with Senior Brother Yagura, Kirigakure's rising star, the ANBU's terrifying Blade of the Bloody Mist. And I have nothing. You just look down on me!"

"...At least you know."

"Ahhh, you're so annoying!"

Watching the girl leave in a huff after failing to achieve her goal, Yoru chuckled softly and used the Body Flicker Technique to catch up with his subordinates.

This mission was fraught with danger. Even if he could be sure they would not encounter Might Duy, it was still exceedingly difficult.

Given his relationship with Terumi Mei, there was no way he would let her get involved in this mission.

One day later.

Within the Land of Fire, in a forest.

Yoru led the ANBU ninja of the First Squad as they swiftly moved through the treetops.

Along the way, Yoru encountered quite a few temporary Kirigakure camps. However, in order to conceal their tracks and save time, they did not infiltrate those camps. Instead, they passed straight through them and began pressing deeper into the Land of Fire.

"Lord Yoru, according to Intelligence Unit reports, Konohagakure's battle lines are currently stretched very long. Among them, the two most important strongholds should be Souta Village and Tsunan Town."

A slender, masked figure stood atop a towering tree and reported to Yoru in a low voice, "Lord Yagura's troops are confronting Konohagakure outside Tsunan Town. Nearly half of Konohagakure's main force has gathered there, making it the best gateway for us to enter Konohagakure's territory. The remaining elites are stationed in Souta Village."

"Souta Village holds a massive stockpile of supplies and is currently one of Konohagakure's most important frontline supply routes. According to intelligence, Souta Village is guarded at a very high level. There are many members of Konohagakure's bloodline clans inside, including users of the Sharingan and Byakugan. It is easy to defend and difficult to attack."

"Idiot Yukiko, of course we're going to hit Souta Village!"

The ANBU with reddish-brown hair and a vertical braid snorted. "Even with Lord Yoru here, there's no way we can escalate the battle at the main battlefield to any great extent."

"On the other hand, if we can destroy Konohagakure's military supplies and cut off their supply lines, we'll definitely deal a heavy blow to their morale. That will provoke Konohagakure's main forces and complete our mission."

"Who knows? We might even be able to bring back some bloodlines."

"You!" Fuyuna Yukiko flared up.

"Yurui is right."

Yoru said solemnly, "Our mission is to create chaos and draw fire, not to go to the main battlefield."

"Yukiko, survey the terrain along the route and plan our retreat path. Yurui, Mangetsu, prepare for battle. We're about to enter Konohagakure's sphere of influence. Yumi, stay on alert at all times and treat the wounded immediately!"

"Yes, Lord Yoru!"