Attack on Konoha, Identity Exposed

Through the endless mountain forest, Feng Yao advanced cautiously.

Moonlight filtered through the towering trees, casting a patchwork of scattered shadows.

All he could hear were birdsong and the gentle burble of water.

The closer they got to the heart of Konoha, the more dangerous it became. Feng Yao and Zabuza proceeded with utmost care. Even in the dead of night, they had already encountered at least three patrols.

He and Zabuza were responsible for the attack and gathering intelligence, while Hashiba Hideyoshi waited outside to provide support.

Feng Yao had no intention of making a move here. He was heading for Kage Rock, where his ninjutsu would give him the advantage of high ground, making it easy to attack or retreat.

But that didn't mean there was no danger. The moment he made a move, the entire force of Konoha's ninja would surely come after him. The jōnin might even alert the Hokage.

Besides completing the system's mission, he also had people he wanted to kill.

The two Anbu Ninja who had hunted him outside the city, Tanaka and Tankyu, as well as the culprit behind the old doctor's murder.

But it would depend on the circumstances. He definitely didn't have time to hunt them down now. If things went badly, staying alive had to come first. He couldn't obsess over revenge and end up losing his life.

"The village patrols make their rounds every half hour. Their security is tight, but there are still openings. I'll make my move on Kage Rock after the next patrol passes. At the signal, attack Konoha's intelligence department and find what I need. If that doesn't work out, focus on staying alive. Just join Hideyoshi and help me get out."

Zabuza looked surprised when he heard that. In the world of ninja, missions came before life itself, yet Feng Yao had just told him to focus on staying alive. It moved a man whose blood had grown cold.

"Don't worry, Chief. I'll find the intelligence you need. Please be careful yourself, too."

With that, he vanished into the night. Thanks to the instincts he had honed over years of assassination work, he should be able to stay alive in Konoha.

With that thought, Feng Yao continued toward Kage Rock, cautiously making his way forward, guided by the memories of the twelve years he had once lived here.

An hour later.

Feng Yao finally reached Kage Rock without incident. He stood at the top of the statue, looking down over the entire village of Konoha as the midnight breeze brushed against his mask.

This was the perfect place to make his move!

He brought his hands together, ready to form hand seals.

Whoosh!

Whoosh!

Two figures appeared before him in an instant. One pressed a kunai against his throat from behind, while the other grabbed the hand he had been about to use for his hand seals.

"Sorry, but I don't know what you're planning. I can't let you run wild in Konoha."

"So this is the brat who supposedly peeked at the Scroll of Seals and got information about the Nine-Tails? Wearing a mask because you're afraid to show your face?"

One voice was lazy; the other, resolute.

The two jōnin who had arrived were Hatake Kakashi and Asuma Sarutobi. They had been scheduled to take their teams on a mission.

But the Third Hokage had suddenly told them that Anbu members had reported someone in the surrounding towns asking after a doctor.

Feng Yao was suspected of having returned to the Land of Fire, and he had brought two formidable ninja with him.

According to the Anbu handbook, someone of Feng Yao's level shouldn't have required their intervention.

But then they discovered that the village had suddenly received a lot of A-rank and higher missions.

Normally, that would have been good news. But the missions had appeared just as Feng Yao returned, and he had brought ninja with him.

The Third Hokage sensed the stench of a plot.

It didn't take him long to realize they were trying to draw the village's forces away.

This could already be called a terrorist operation targeting Konoha.

So he ordered some teams that should have been out on missions to stay behind.

He also assigned some of the jōnin a special A-rank mission: protect Konoha.

Feng Yao's eyes widened. He had just been about to make a move when Kakashi pressed the kunai even tighter against him.

It seemed that the slightest movement from Feng Yao would cost him his life.

Meanwhile, on the outskirts of Konoha, three Konoha ninja had surrounded Hashiba Hideyoshi, who had been waiting to provide support.

"You're one of the ninja attacking Konoha, aren't you? Are you coming back with us willingly, or do we have to beat you into coming? Honestly, I recommend the first option. It'll save time."

Gekko Hayate spoke wearily, dark circles under his eyes.

But the sharp glint in his eyes made it clear: if Hideyoshi refused, Hayate would be the first to attack.

The other two were Yamashiro Aoba and Namiashi Raidō, a pair whose combined attack was said to be impossible to withstand.

"Oh, my. Are you jōnin from Konoha? Or Special Jōnin? Coming at me with this many people is a bit much—I don't know if I can take it! Hahaha!"

Despite the numbers against him, Hideyoshi didn't look the least bit nervous. Instead, he laughed wildly.

Ignoring the disparity in numbers, he drew his katana and charged first.

"Storm Release: Blinding Radiance!"

Blinding light flashed repeatedly across the area.

Is this guy crazy? Yamashiro Aoba cursed and drew his kunai, engaging Hideyoshi.

The thunderous explosions and clashing blades showed that Hideyoshi had begun fighting Hayate's team.

Meanwhile, Zabuza had reached Konoha's intelligence center. It was close to the headquarters, however, and guarded by Morino Ibiki and several ordinary Chunin.

A huge explosion reached Zabuza's ears. Morino Ibiki and the others were startled, too, unsure what had happened.

Zabuza knew it was the signal. In truth, it meant Hideyoshi's group had engaged the enemy, but that didn't matter. All they needed was someone to draw the village's attention.

Thinking this, Zabuza flicked his wrist.

Slash!

With a single sound, the blade of Kubikiribōchō sank into Morino Ibiki's neck, leaving a long, gaping wound.

Morino Ibiki clutched his throat as more and more blood sprayed out. In the end, he collapsed onto the cold ground.

The other two Chunin were no match for him. They had been killed before they could even call for help.

Zabuza frowned and muttered to himself, "This is going a little too smoothly. Even Konoha's defenses can't be this weak."

Just as he was about to inspect the bodies, the scene before him suddenly changed.

Trees burst out of the three Konoha ninja's bodies. A figure emerged from among the branches: Yuhi Kurenai, who had only recently been promoted to jōnin.

"Since you noticed, you've got good instincts. I was hoping to wait a little longer before making my move."

Her voice was calm and firm. Yuhi Kurenai specialized in genjutsu, and Zabuza had fallen under her spell the moment he swung his blade.

Seeing the situation, Zabuza's expression turned grave. His eyes darted around as he searched for a way out.

"Looks like they found us a long time ago. Are they planning to wipe us all out? Well, I'm not that easy to take down."

On Kage Rock, Kakashi and Feng Yao remained locked in a stalemate. Hearing the explosion and seeing the bright flash outside the village, Kakashi spoke casually.

"The Third Hokage ordered us to keep an eye on you long ago. Your companions have probably already engaged our forces, but they won't win. And neither will you."

Feeling the cold kunai against his throat, Feng Yao narrowed his eyes but still said nothing.

Asuma also found the situation strange. Most ninja would be terrified in a situation like this, but their opponent was remarkably calm. He certainly had guts.

"Kakashi, it's been a while. Since we parted ways in the Land of Waves, how have you been?"

Feng Yao turned to look at Kakashi. Kakashi recognized his voice at once.

He was the mysterious ninja who had rescued Zabuza in the Land of Waves. Feng Yao and that mysterious ninja were one and the same!

He immediately shouted a warning to Asuma beside him. "Asuma, be careful! This man is far more dangerous than the mission report said. Don't underestimate him!"

As he spoke, Kakashi lifted his Forehead Protector, fixing his Sharingan on Feng Yao.

Last time, he could say he'd won by luck after making a bet. But he knew that, in truth, he was no match for his opponent.

Still, they were in Konoha. Kakashi and Asuma could hold him off until the Hokage arrived to help.

Hearing Kakashi say that, Asuma naturally didn't dare take their opponent lightly.

He drew his other weapon, his unique Flying Swallow. But after Feng Yao spoke, he stood completely still, like a monk deep in meditation.

Just as Asuma began to wonder what was going on, Kakashi's Sharingan caught sight of something. He suddenly shoved Asuma aside.

Then he shouted, "Get out of the way! He's stalling for time—he's covered in Explosive Tags!"