Qi Jiang or Calamity

Perched silently atop a tall tree, Uchiha Kei quietly activated his Sharingan to observe his surroundings.

Hyuga Aya and Imai Kenta were already in position. Neither of them looked in Kei's direction, which gave him the courage to use his Sharingan.

Observing the subtle Chakra fluctuations within the forest, Uchiha Kei contemplated his strategy for what was to come. Although he had made some preparations, the specifics of execution were worth considering.

He had advocated against using Explosive Tags, as the resulting vibrations would put them in a very disadvantageous position.

While their mission had a strong synergistic element with Uchiha Kei's group, it did not align with Uchiha Kei and his companions' true objective: survival.

Therefore, to achieve their goal while still attracting the enemy's attention, Fire Style was the best alternative.

However, the size and coverage of this Fire Style jutsu needed careful consideration. Too large, and it would become a beacon in the night, putting Uchiha Kei and the others in danger.

But if it were too small, it wouldn't be enough to draw the attention of the Iwa Ninja to this area, which would hinder Uchiha Kei and his group's actions.

Unfortunately, time waited for no one. While Uchiha Kei was still contemplating, the group of Iwa Ninja, escorting a group of Konoha Ninja captives, walked right into their ambush zone!

At this point, Uchiha Kei couldn't afford to think any further. Seeing the Iwa Ninja stepping into the ambush zone, Uchiha Kei immediately deactivated his Sharingan.

The number of Iwa Ninja this time wasn't large – a complete four-person squad, escorting the Konoha Ninja in a diamond formation.

However, it was evident that the Iwa Ninja walking at the rear seemed somewhat nervous. Even though the Konoha Ninja they were escorting looked miserable, they still didn't dare to get too close.

The one walking at the very front, however, seemed like someone not to be trifled with, which immediately gave Uchiha Kei something to consider.

"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"

The sound of air being cut through rang out the moment the four Iwa Ninja stepped into the ambush zone. Although the event happened suddenly, the four Iwa Ninja had clearly anticipated it.

After all, this was a battlefield. While it was near their rear, it was by no means a safe place.

The Iwa Ninja at the forefront was likely a ninja with extensive combat experience. While it was unclear if he was a Jonin, he remained remarkably calm and casually blocked all the incoming Kunai with a Kunai of his own.

These Kunai weren't solely aimed at the Iwa Ninja; they also covered the Konoha Ninja. Uchiha Kei didn't need to think twice to know this was likely Hyuga Aya acting on her own initiative.

However, Uchiha Kei didn't blame her. Such a probe could better gauge the Iwa Ninja's attitude towards the Konoha Ninja behind them. Although it might cause some collateral damage, it could also serve as a degree of misdirection.

If Uchiha Kei were in her position, he would likely make the same choice. Though cruel, it was good to mislead the enemy while simultaneously discerning certain things.

As for the remaining three Iwa Ninja who appeared somewhat nervous, although they were unharmed, their formation was completely disrupted.

This surprise attack was not as troublesome for Uchiha Kei as the previous one involving Hyuga Aya and Imai Kenta. Almost immediately after their formation broke, the two of them charged out, and Uchiha Kei knew it was time for him to act.

Forming hand seals, Uchiha Kei completed his Ninjutsu in less than a second.

"Fire Style: Dragon Fire Technique!"

The Dragon Fire Technique is only a C-rank Ninjutsu, but to unleash its full power, it requires some tools—like a strip of material or wire, and a powerful Chakra.

However, Uchiha Kei wouldn't bother with such details. Their target was only the one standing guard, because this individual gave Uchiha Kei a sense of danger.

As expected, this guy's attention was drawn to his rear, but his reaction speed was still fast. In just a breath, he leaped up and dodged Uchiha Kei's sneak attack.

Uchiha Kei didn't expect this Ninjutsu to kill a ninja. Fire Style, as the most destructive Ninjutsu, seemed to have greater strategic significance than its practical combat effectiveness.

After all, in the original work, Uchiha Kei had rarely seen anyone killed by Fire Style in actual combat. Even he only used Fire Style to clean up a scene. In other situations, he used Fire Style to attract the enemy's attention.

Drawing a Kunai, Uchiha Kei immediately used the Body Flicker Technique to close in. His speed was fast, but the vigilant Iwa Ninja had clearly noticed the situation.

Clang.

Two Kunai collided, sparks flying, emitting a crisp metallic sound!

So fast!

Uchiha Kei inwardly shivered. The speed and strength of this Iwa Ninja were somewhat terrifying. If it weren't a sneak attack but a head-on battle, who knew what would happen.

But if a ninja doesn't sneak attack, what's the point of being a ninja? Uchiha Kei felt no psychological burden.

However, Uchiha Kei had no intention of being careless. A sneak attack only gained the initiative. How to maximize this advantage was what Uchiha Kei needed to consider.

Clang, clang, clang.

Instantly, two figures clashed fiercely in the forest!

The more Uchiha Kei fought, the more depressed he became. Why was his luck so bad this time? He had only been out for a short while and had already encountered two Jonin?

But thinking back, his luck had never been good. Uchiha Kei's first team was ambushed by one Jonin and three Chunin.

If it weren't for his first Captain's desperate protection and Uchiha Kei's own cunning, he might not have survived.

After cycling through several teams, Uchiha Kei always survived, but his teams usually disbanded.

Uchiha Kei sometimes felt like a Calamity, but he felt more like Qi Jiang—otherwise, he wouldn't have escaped every time.

Looking at the opponent before him, Uchiha Kei knew his strengths and weaknesses. Without activating his Sharingan, Uchiha Kei wasn't confident he could defeat this guy.

But Hyuga Aya and Imai Kenta had already dealt with their enemies and were rushing to support Uchiha Kei. Uchiha Kei knew his chances of winning had increased.

However, there was one thing Uchiha Kei was very clear about: these two probably didn't want to support him. If not for the six Konoha Ninja watching, they would have turned and left immediately.

Although he didn't know the specifics of their cover mission, no one would want to act as Bait, especially Behind Enemy Lines.