Patrol Mission First Battle!

Overall, the ninja configuration of Patrol Squad 36 is very comprehensive, with Five Release Ninjutsu, Genjutsu, Perception Tracking, Taijutsu, and Hiden, meaning there are no shortcomings in any aspect.

Jiogan and the other two also introduced themselves to Maruboshi Kosuke and his two teammates, and the six of them had a preliminary understanding of each other.

This patrol mission is on the eastern coastline of the Land of Fire. The area responsible for Jiogan and the six others is a radius of ten kilometers. Within the coastline is a dense forest. The terrain of the dense forest is relatively complex, but fortunately, there are no mountains. The terrain in the rest of the patrol area is relatively simple.

Three hours later, Patrol Squad 36 arrived at the designated location and officially began their three-week patrol mission.

Captain Maruboshi Kosuke assigned personnel as follows: Jiogan and Anima would be a team defending the coastline, Okamura Taro and Inuzuka Yoru would be a team patrolling the dense forest, and Maruboshi Kosuke and Kurama Feiyun would be a team stationed at the squad's temporary base, ready to provide support to the front and rear at any time.

The three teams would rotate once a week.

The squad's base was located in a hidden spot within the dense forest, two kilometers away from the defense zone of Jiogan and Anima.

The coastline consisted of beaches and rocks. The rocks were not very high, and the area outside the dense forest was basically in full view. Jiogan and Anima spent most of their time hidden in the woods, except for catching fish to eat.

During this time, Jiogan's grilled fish once again earned the praise of Anima and the other two. Maruboshi Kosuke couldn't help but get his hands itchy and made a pot of Fish Soup Noodles, which everyone in the squad praised, saying that this mission was too blissful!

A few days passed, and the patrol area was peaceful. However, battles occurred in the areas of adjacent patrol teams. The defense area of Jiogan and the others had too few fortifications, making it easy to defend but hard to attack. It was too conspicuous to infiltrate the Land of Fire from this defense line, so enemy ninjas had not chosen this area to infiltrate for the time being.

Knowing that other patrol areas were not peaceful, Jiogan and the others did not dare to relax their vigilance at all, especially strengthening their patrols at night.

A week passed, and the squad rotated. Jiogan and Kurama Feiyun were a team patrolling the dense forest in the rear, Captain Maruboshi Kosuke and Inuzuka Yoru defended the coastline, and Anima and Okamura Taro were stationed at the base, ready to support all sides at any time.

The main purpose of patrolling the dense forest was to prevent enemies from infiltrating from other patrol areas, which was actually the most common scenario.

"Jiogan-kun, this patrol mission is too long. I'm starting to miss home. I wonder if Dad is on other missions at the outpost and how he's doing," Kurama Feiyun said.

"Feiyun, don't worry. You know how strong our teacher is. There are basically no Genjutsu Ninjas outside the village who are stronger than him. Even if there are, they are strategic ninjas and won't be deployed casually within the Land of Fire. Otherwise, it would be a declaration of war!" Jiogan comforted her.

"This mission is indeed long. After all, we've only completed two missions. Not to mention you're a girl, even I, a guy, am a bit homesick. Mother works very hard running the fruit shop alone. When I was in school, I could help out often. Now that I've grown up and become a ninja, I have less time to take care of my family," Jiogan also sighed.

"However, isn't the purpose of us carrying out missions outside to ensure that the village and the ordinary people of the Land of Fire can live and work in peace? Feiyun, it's all worth it!" Jiogan added.

"Mhm, Jiogan-kun, you're right!" Kurama Feiyun looked at Jiogan seriously.

She added, "Jiogan-kun, what are your thoughts about the future?"

Jiogan pondered for a moment. The Second Shinobi World War would break out not long from now. He didn't dare to say he would make a name for himself in the Second War, but his strength must be further improved before then so that he could protect himself and the companions he cherished during the Second War.

"I have a premonition that a ninja war will break out soon. My expectation for the future is to survive the war first!" Jiogan said.

Every ninja war would last for several years, a true meat grinder for ninjas. Even with his cheat, he didn't dare to say he could definitely survive. The beings hidden behind the scenes of the ninja world were too monstrous, making him powerless to resist.

"Jiogan-kun, if we can both survive after the war, let's get married!" Kurama Feiyun said, her eyes filled with tenderness.

Jiogan's head felt like it had been suddenly struck. His breathing hitched. Facing Kurama Feiyun's sudden confession, and even proposing marriage, Jiogan had not expected it at all.

At that moment, a warning of danger came from the depths of his soul, "No, this is bad, there's danger!"

Jiogan-kun's mind cleared instantly. He immediately saw a gray figure charging towards him. The attacker looked surprised to see Jiogan-kun awake, not expecting his genjutsu to be broken so quickly. But then, an even faster attack came.

Jiogan-kun realized he was under enemy attack and reacted swiftly. As a practitioner of Tai Chi, the opponent's speed was manageable in his eyes. Jiogan-kun immediately lunged forward one step, then threw a punch, striking the opponent in the abdomen. With the force of the mutual impact, the enemy immediately doubled over, losing all ability to resist.

The entire process happened in an instant!

As a kunai flashed with cold light, Jiogan-kun slit the enemy's throat. Only then did Jiogan-kun get a clear look: it was a Kirigakure ninja.

Just as he finished looting the body, a "whoosh" sound was heard, and a figure appeared. "Jiogan-kun, what's going on? I heard the commotion and rushed over immediately!"

Jiogan-kun immediately became alert and asked the newcomer, "How many colors is Ranmaru's fur?!"

The newcomer paused, then instantly understood and replied, "One color, pure, no mixed hairs!"

Jiogan-kun breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Feiyun, forgive me. The enemy just used genjutsu on me, disguising themselves as you. I almost fell for it. If I had reacted a moment slower, you would have been collecting my corpse!"

It turned out that just moments ago, the two were on patrol together. In the middle of it, Kurama Feiyun had gone to the riverbank to fetch water, leaving Jiogan-kun alone for a while. Jiogan-kun lacked sensory abilities, giving the enemy an opportunity.

"The enemy is from Kirigakure. It should be a lone wolf, likely a Chunin. If I hadn't reacted quickly and let the enemy get close for a decisive blow, it wouldn't have been so easy to take him down!" Jiogan-kun told Kurama Feiyun.

"Let's send a signal to the captain and the others so they know what's happening here!" Kurama Feiyun suggested.

With that, he released a Yellow Signal Flare.

Signal flares were divided into three levels: Yellow indicated an abnormal situation, Purple indicated a retreat, and Red indicated an urgent need for support. Upon seeing a Red Signal Flare, all personnel, regardless of their current mission, were required to provide immediate assistance.

Before long, except for Inuzuka Yoru who was guarding the Coastline, Maruboshi Kosuke, Anima, and Okamura Taro arrived at the scene. Jiogan-kun explained the situation. Maruboshi Kosuke examined the body again. "Judging by the attire, this is a Kirigakure Chunin. They likely infiltrated from another defense line. We cannot rule out the possibility of accomplices!"

"Captain, let's call Night over. He and his Ninken are skilled trackers. We need to thoroughly search our defense sector as soon as possible. Night's role would be very significant!" Jiogan-kun suggested.

"Alright. Anima, you were stationed at the Coastline with him before. Anima, go relieve Inuzuka Yoru. The rest of us will immediately begin searching the defense sector, especially areas with Water Sources!" Maruboshi Kosuke immediately assigned tasks.

With that, he began to lead the search of the 36th Squad's defense sector.