A short while earlier
Under the deep darkness of night, the three slipped silently past the sentries amid the chaos Uchiha Iori had caused.
The moon shone faintly, its light falling across their faces and revealing their resolute expressions.
Uchiha Iori had taken on the most dangerous task. They couldn't let him down.
With Aburame Shibi's Kikaichū covering them, the squad silently approached the enemy camp.
Suddenly, a squad of ninjas emerged slowly from the darkness. It was an Iwagakure Ninja patrol.
In an instant, the three scattered, using the surrounding shadows and terrain for cover.
As the enemy drew near, the three struck together. In a flash, they took them out before they could send a signal.
"We've already passed most of the sentries. Once we destroy the place where they store their war supplies, the mission will be complete."
"The three heavily guarded locations over there are just right for us. For efficiency's sake, one each."
Gekko Nobuhiko temporarily took command and spoke in a low voice.
"Let's split up and move out. Be careful not to get spotted."
"Although the Five-Tails Jinchuriki was lured away, there must still be Jonin guarding the camp."
"Right. Everyone be careful." Maruboshi Kosuke and Aburame Shibi nodded in agreement.
"If none of us are discovered, we'll meet back here."
"If anyone is spotted, we'll meet at the place where we separated from Iori."
"Understood?" Gekko Nobuhiko confirmed the plan.
"Understood!"
They split up, each heading for one of the war-supply storage sites they'd scouted earlier.
Gekko Nobuhiko used his superb stealth skills to slip past the crowd without a sound.
As a ninja of the Gekko Clan, he hadn't been able to master true Transparent Escape.
But a simplified version of Transparent Escape was more than enough in this situation.
He scanned his surroundings, and, once he was sure no one had noticed him, quickly moved forward.
[They're guarding ninja tools here—Kunai, Shuriken, and flak jackets. Everything's here.] Gekko Nobuhiko silently sized up the place.
[Looks like the supplies at Kosuke's and Shibi's locations are medicine and Explosive Tags.]
After setting up a fuse deeper inside, Gekko Nobuhiko created a Shadow Clone.
If he was discovered, he'd use the Shadow Clone to set off the explosives.
[There hasn't been a signal. They probably haven't been spotted yet. I'll head to the place where we split up.]
After restoring everything to its original state, Gekko Nobuhiko turned and left.
Maruboshi Kosuke slipped inside with practiced ease. He was a disciple of the Second.
He'd gone on missions with the Third, the Sannin, Hatake Sakumo, and Minato Namikaze.
A battle-hardened veteran, he didn't hesitate to use Konoha Style: Willow when he ran into a patrol squad, cutting down the enemies in an instant with crisp efficiency.
He was skilled in swordsmanship, Water Release, and genjutsu. Maruboshi Kosuke was a well-rounded ninja.
After sneaking into the warehouse, Maruboshi Kosuke searched it carefully. It was piled high with all kinds of medicine, bandages, and Military Ration Pills.
[Looks like the supplies at Nobuhiko's and Shibi's locations are ninja tools and Explosive Tags.]
He also created a Shadow Clone to make sure the mission went smoothly, then retraced his steps.
Aburame Shibi concealed himself with Kikaichū and erased his tracks.
It wasn't that no Iwagakure Ninjas sensed something was wrong, but Aburame Shibi's Kikaichū took care of them.
They either had their chakra drained, or were devoured completely by the Secret Technique: Insect Sphere.
The insect-user clan's secret techniques had a wide range of uses. Although, aside from Aburame Shikuroo's Secret Technique: Phosphor Destruction Insects, which was around Kage Level, the rest could only reach Jonin level, taken together, they still made him a formidable opponent among Jonin.
He headed straight for the warehouse. It was full of Explosive Tags.
After leaving behind something to ignite them, Aburame Shibi created an Insect Clone.
He also headed back the way he had come.
At the same time, Gekko Nobuhiko and Maruboshi Kosuke hurried back as well.
Once the three had regrouped, they prepared to set off the explosives and retreat.
"Earth Release: Earth Rising Spear."
Suddenly, the ground surged upward, and sharp rocks shot toward the three like blades.
Gekko Nobuhiko and Maruboshi Kosuke drew their swords and cut through the rocks. Aburame Shibi used the Body Flicker Technique to dodge, leaving a swarm of insects behind.
"Hey, mind telling us what you came here to do?"
Several Iwagakure Ninjas emerged from underground.
More than ten Iwagakure Ninjas stepped out of the darkness.
"One of the Aburame Clan's ninjas. I'll never forget your scent as long as I live," one of the Iwagakure Ninjas sneered.
"Since we've run into you here, hand over the information and then die quietly."
"This jutsu and this scent... The Kamizuru Clan?"
Aburame Shibi's eyes narrowed, and he suddenly spoke.
"Shibi, do you know who they are?" Gekko Nobuhiko asked.
"They're the insect-user clan of Iwagakure, the Kamizuru Clan. They're also known as the Kamizuru Clan," Aburame Shibi replied.
"I remember hearing about them. When the Second was in office, Iwagakure sent people to attack Konoha."
"I believe the Kamizuru Clan was the vanguard at the time."
Maruboshi Kosuke nodded. He was an old hand, and though he hadn't been part of that battle, he had heard about it.
The Aburame Clan had established its standing in Konoha through that battle.
"That's right. They were defeated by the Aburame Clan, led by my father."
"This is my fault for getting us spotted. They must have found us by detecting my Kikaichū."
Kamizuru Ninbee gritted his teeth. "That's right. I'd recognize the scent of the Aburame Clan even if I were reduced to ashes."
"You used underhanded methods to defeat my clan and cost us Lord Tsuchikage's trust."
"In this war, I'll defeat you and restore my clan's glory."
The three exchanged glances. Maruboshi Kosuke and Gekko Nobuhiko moved behind Aburame Shibi.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Three consecutive explosions rang out. The warehouses full of ninja tools and medicine collapsed into ruins.
The warehouse storing the Explosive Tags turned the surrounding area into a sea of fire.
Kosuke's and Nobuhiko's Shadow Clones were blown to pieces, and the pain of being torn apart flowed back along with their chakra.
The two gritted their teeth and endured the pain.
The advantage of the Secret Technique: Insect Clone became clear. It, too, had been blown apart.
But an Insect Clone didn't transmit pain.
"Damn it! What did you do?" Kamizuru Ninbee roared, taking a step forward.
By the time he noticed Aburame Shibi's movements, the three had already been on their way back to regroup.
Since he didn't know what they had done, he hadn't attacked them right away.
Instead, he'd waited for the three to regroup, hoping to find out what they were up to. But they'd ended up setting off the Explosive Tags.
The failure was unbearable for Kamizuru Ninbee, who had made restoring the Kamizuru Clan's glory his life's mission.
"Looks like killing you is the only way to recover some of our reputation."
Kamizuru Ninbee gritted his teeth.
Boom!
A deafening crash rang out in the distance, as if the very earth were trembling.
It came from the direction the Five-Tails Jinchuriki had gone. Smoke and flames rose into the sky.
"That's a Tailed Beast Bomb! What kind of enemy could make Lord Han use that power?"
The Iwagakure Ninjas were aghast.
Someone murmured, "Could the Sannin have joined the fight themselves? Or is the Third here too?"
Though Gekko Nobuhiko and the others were worried about Uchiha Iori's safety, they knew this was a rare opportunity. The Iwagakure Ninjas' confusion gave them the perfect chance to break through.
"Water Style: Great Waterfall Technique."
Maruboshi Kosuke struck first. He completed the Hand Seals in just a few beats, and a torrent of water poured down like a raging waterfall, unstoppable.
The Water Release passed down from the Second was not to be underestimated, either for its speed of execution or its power.
"Secret Technique: Insect Tornado."
Aburame Shibi had already hidden a large number of Kikaichū nearby. Now they surged toward the enemy like a black whirlwind, blocking those pursuing from behind.
The three worked together seamlessly and quickly broke through.
"Don't think you can get away!" Kamizuru Ninbee's furious roar came from behind. His face was twisted with rage and frustration.
He quickly formed Hand Seals. "Secret Technique: Beehive Technique!" Countless bees flew from his hands, forming a swirling insect tempest that chased after the three.
Several Kamizuru Clan ninjas beside him followed close behind and gave chase as well.