Yakura

The clear river water rustled gently, like a tender aquatic solo.

"Swish swish swish..."

In the forest near the riverbank, a fifteen-person elite Sand Shinobi squad leaped between trees, advancing along the river.

"Lady Yakura, I've detected chakra reactions at the riverbeach three miles ahead... there's only one, so it should be the enemy from the intel," a Sand Shinobi responsible for sensing reported to the green-yellow haired, well-figured, beautiful young female ninja leading the way.

"This guy should be our mission target. Continue forward, everyone be extremely careful. According to the intel, in the past five days, at least thirty of our comrades, including ninjas who went to check the situation and passing allies, have died on the riverbeach ahead. Only the three Genin who returned with intel five days ago are still alive."

"In addition, the sixth harassment squad, consisting of thirty elite ninjas including two Jonin and one Elite Jonin, was also wiped out by this enemy. Furthermore, a patrol squad of thirty led by an Elite Jonin is also very likely to have been annihilated by this enemy." Hearing this, the beautiful female ninja named Yakura relayed the intel she knew, summarizing, "This enemy is very strong, possessing an unknown powerful Bloodline Limit. His strength is already very close to the Kage level."

"Yes!"

Upon hearing this, the other Sand Shinobi responded in low voices. This was a powerful enemy who had already killed over a hundred ninjas, and no one dared to underestimate him. Otherwise, their names would be inscribed on the Hero Monument.

Damn it, he's actually lured and killed so many of our ninjas.

When Yakura led the elite Sand Shinobi squad to the location mentioned in the intel, Yakura and the Sand Shinobi couldn't help but clench their fists, filled with hatred for the murderer of their fellow villagers.

The entire riverbeach was littered with the corpses of Sand Shinobi, the number far exceeding the thirty mentioned in the intel. Over a hundred Sand Shinobi corpses lay scattered amidst the gravel on this short stretch of riverbeach. It was as if a medium-scale encounter had occurred here.

These were all Sand Shinobi who were unaware of the situation. After seeing the bodies of their comrades and finding no danger, or mistaking the sensed chakra of Yueguang Han for a heavily injured comrade, they came to investigate and collect the bodies. Unfortunately, they all became casualties of Yueguang Han's attacks. Among them were Sand Shinobi squads of over ten people, and also powerful Jonin.

"The only chakra reaction is in the middle, near the river. That young man, and there are many headbands next to him." Without Yakura needing to ask, the sensing ninja pointed out Yueguang Han's position, lying on the gravel as if dead.

Although surprised by the enemy's age, they felt more hatred and a touch of jealousy. Konoha always produced a large number of exceptionally talented prodigies.

Not rushing to attack, Yakura made a gesture, and the Sand Shinobi began to carefully observe their surroundings, especially the riverbeach littered with their own ninjas' corpses. Since the enemy was luring and killing them here, they must have made arrangements in the vicinity.

However, they hadn't encountered any traps on their way, and after observing for a long time, they found no traces of any traps.

"Swish swish!" After observing for a long time without finding any flaws, Yakura flicked her wrist, and two kunai shot rapidly towards Yueguang Han, who was amidst the corpses.

"Thwack! Thwack!"

The sound of blades piercing flesh echoed as two kunai accurately embedded themselves in Yueguang Han's neck. This also made Yueguang Han rejoice internally. More enemies have arrived.

This area was already beyond the battle line, closer to the territory occupied by the Sand Shinobi. All the enemies encountered in these five days were Sand Shinobi. Even if Konoha ninjas had infiltrated and passed by, they wouldn't dare to investigate casually after seeing so many Sand Shinobi corpses.

Seeing the kunai accurately hit the enemy's neck, Yakura frowned.

Beside her, the sensing ninja immediately sensed and said, "The enemy is not injured. His chakra fluctuations remain calm."

"The intel stated the enemy has an unknown Bloodline Limit, so we cannot be careless. Continue observing and remain vigilant of the surroundings," Yakura said softly, not revealing herself. Instead, she led the Sand Shinobi to cautiously reposition themselves and continue observing, even though the previous kunai had already exposed their presence.

Yakura's words also served as a reminder to the other Sand Shinobi. She didn't mention the possibility of a puppet because, within a radius of several kilometers, the sensing ninja had only detected one enemy's chakra fluctuation. In ninja battles, intel and carelessness could cost lives. In ninja warfare, ninjas aimed to kill more enemies.

"You're quite cautious! Come out, there are no traps!" Seeing that the enemy hidden in the forest was still reluctant to come out after the probing, a cold voice sounded by the riverbeach. Yueguang Han, who had been pretending to be dead basking in the sun, sat up and turned his gaze towards the forest where the Sand Shinobi were hidden.

His infrared electronic eyes had already seen them, although daylight did cause considerable interference with his infrared electronic eyes.

There was no response, and there was no movement from the forest. The surroundings were so quiet that only the sound of the wind and the flowing water could be heard.

Seeing that the enemy still refused to come out, Yueguang Han stood up and kicked the pile of Sand Shinobi headbands next to him. His cold voice said, "They were all killed by me on the riverbeach. They didn't even have a chance to escape into the forest. You... do you dare to come over?"

Hearing Wang Han's words, the Sand Shinobi clenched their fists, filled with anger. It wasn't because of Yueguang Han's provocative words, but because of Yueguang Han's action of kicking the headbands of their deceased comrades.

Seeing this, and seeing the enemy's gaze fixed on the forest where they were hiding, Yakura knew they had been discovered. She made a few gestures to the other Sand Shinobi and leaped out of the forest with eight of them, landing on the riverbeach.

Yakura of Sand Village's Scorch Release. As expected, she's targeting me. The Sand Shinobi already know the intel here. It seems I can't stay here any longer! Yueguang Han thought regretfully as he looked at the Sand Shinobi who had emerged, leading the group.

"You didn't all come out. Are you leaving them a chance to escape? Or are you trying to break the record of no Sand Shinobi escaping into the forest from my hands? If so, you've succeeded." His cold words were extremely dismissive and provocative.

"No, today you will die on this riverbeach, to be buried with the heroes of the Sand Village who have fallen," Yakura replied, equally coldly. With a wave of her hand, four orange-red fireballs appeared, floating around her.

"Swish swish swish...!" The eight people who followed Yakura into the open moved swiftly, transforming into afterimages and encircling Yueguang Han in a semicircle. Among them were four Jonin, and the rest were Elite Chunin.

"No, I think you will only become one of them. Your headbands will definitely become my spoils," Yueguang Han said, pointing at the corpses on the ground and the pile of headbands beside him. His voice carried no fluctuation, remaining cold.