Xing Ran had tested it before. Super vision and X-ray Vision could only see physical phenomena, while ninjutsu was a power akin to magic. He had once used X-ray Vision to examine someone else's Transformation Jutsu, but he could not see through it. So if the enemy had any hidden ninjutsu methods, they would have to get close and rely on the Yamanaka Clan's innate sensory abilities to determine it.
It was strange. Perhaps it was caused by the rules of this world.
"Slip past them quietly." Yamaki Atsushi's order was concise, but Xing Ran knew that regardless of his combat strength, he was qualified in terms of experience as a captain.
By sneaking past the target, Xing Ran could sense from closer range whether it was a trap. Even if he still could not confirm whether there was an ambush, passing by the target would force them to reveal their hand. If there was an ambush, they would definitely appear immediately to intercept them. That way, they would not have entered the enemy's ambush zone beforehand and would hold the initiative. If there was no ambush, the enemy would not notice them, and they could calmly circle around behind them, increasing the chances of a successful surprise attack.
Xing Ran was surprised to discover that even with the perspective granted by two lifetimes and the information explosion of his previous era, he held no great advantage when it came to experience in ninja combat. What he could think of, Captain Yamaki Atsushi could also judge correctly through experience.
After the two previous encounters with enemies, Xing Ran's inflated mindset from awakening his Superman abilities was quickly knocked out of him. There was more to learn in the ninja world than ninjutsu alone; the experience of one's predecessors was also invaluable knowledge.
Xing Ran had originally planned to go into secluded cultivation after solving his financial problems, but now that plan wavered. Working behind closed doors probably would not cut it in the ninja world.
Something in Xing Ran's thinking changed in that instant. He recalled how he had felt watching Naruto in his previous life. It was precisely these thrilling moments, where low-ranking ninjas could use their brains to defeat far stronger ones, that had drawn him to the series.
He was still far from being strong enough to crush everything through sheer power. He still needed to learn from practical combat experience, as well as the experience needed to handle matters as a qualified ninja.
Following Yamaki Atsushi's orders, the three of them quietly circled to the eleven o'clock direction of the "rogue Iwa ninja." Just as they had expected, the two targets resting beside the tree noticed nothing. This indicated that there should be no ambush here; the enemy did not know anyone had approached them.
Xing Ran frantically searched the area with X-ray Vision. For some reason, even with both his sensory abilities and X-ray Vision activated, he still had a bad feeling.
Xing Ran was not someone who hesitated. His goal was not to kill the enemy. He had crossed into this world, and his bright future had yet to be enjoyed. When he was weak, he needed to keep a low profile. He immediately spoke up to warn his companions.
"Something feels wrong." Xing Ran suddenly warned them just before Yamaki Atsushi was about to issue the order to attack.
Yamaki Atsushi was no ordinary Chunin. Though his individual strength was not outstanding, he had participated throughout the Third Shinobi World War. Many times, even when one had not detected an enemy, intuition—mysterious as it seemed—could save one's life.
"Retreat immediately!" Yamaki Atsushi did not make the other two wait for further orders, nor did he ask Xing Ran more questions. Almost the instant Xing Ran gave the warning, he gave the order to retreat.
There was a reason veteran warriors could not be underestimated. Unfortunately, Xing Ran's warning had still come too late. Yamaki Atsushi's retreat order was not wrong, but in the next instant, a hand suddenly rose from the ground beneath Junpei. Before anyone could react, Junpei was dragged underground.
It was as if the enemy had discussed it in advance. They knew Yamaki Atsushi was in charge here, and the person in charge of a squad was often the strongest fighter. In the sudden attack, no one targeted Yamaki Atsushi. Instead, they attacked the other two at the same time. Junpei had already been hit, and Xing Ran's danger was right before him.
Another powerful hand appeared. This was Earth Release: Double Suicide Decapitation Technique!
After awakening his Superman abilities, Xing Ran's various powers were still underdeveloped, but he had already far surpassed ordinary people. The most obvious advantage in battle was his neural reaction speed, one of the additional benefits brought by Super Brainpower.
Xing Ran and Junpei were attacked almost simultaneously, but Xing Ran reacted faster. He swiftly lifted his leg and avoided the hand shooting out of the ground. Then, without the slightest hesitation, he grabbed that protruding hand.
Having overcome his inner turmoil, Xing Ran's strength had surged again after his awakening. With barely any effort, he crushed the bones in that hand. The instant the enemy underground was distracted by the pain, Xing Ran suddenly exerted force and yanked him straight out of the earth amid a cloud of dust.
The "rogue Iwa ninja" Xing Ran pulled out was clearly no pushover. His failed ambush and subsequent restraint had cost him the initiative, but after being distracted by pain, he quickly retaliated. The instant Xing Ran pulled him from the ground, the kunai in his hand stabbed toward Xing Ran's body beneath the cover of the swirling dust.
The shift between attack and defense happened far too quickly. An ordinary person might have been fooled by the obscured view and struck, but Xing Ran did not dare relax in the slightest. After the enemy was exposed, he kept X-ray Vision active, ensuring he could always see the enemy's movements.
Clang.
Crack.
The two sounds rang out in succession. The first came as Xing Ran swiftly drew his own kunai and blocked the attack aimed at him.
The second came when Xing Ran used the hand holding the enemy to perform a Konoha-style Grappling Technique. Before either of the enemy's hands could make another move, he twisted the man's arm behind his back and mercilessly broke it.
The enemy was tough. Even with his arm broken, he did not make a sound. But toughness could not free him from his predicament. A sharp kunai was already pressed against the "rogue Iwa ninja's" throat.
After being ambushed by the enemy, the situation swiftly became a one-for-one exchange under Xing Ran's counterattack.
Each side had one captive.
"Take him and go." Yamaki Atsushi displayed his decisiveness at that moment.
Junpei was not merely his teammate on this mission; he had also been his subordinate in the Anbu squad for many years. But their side had been ambushed first, and there was most likely another ambush nearby. Whether they intended to abandon Junpei or not, they had to leave this place and change locations first.
Xing Ran hesitated slightly. It was due to his lack of experience. After all, he had only been in this world for a little over a year and was still a rookie with little real combat experience. Upon obtaining a captive, his first thought had been to exchange hostages.
But his rational mind quickly understood that Yamaki Atsushi was right.
The two moved swiftly and soon retreated along the route they had taken to get here.
"...Follow them. Surround them." A faint order came from somewhere unseen in the dark forest.
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