Garrison Duty

As night fell, the bright moon illuminated the entire land, and the howling wind swept through the valleys, raising a cloud of dust.

Taiichi and Yohei lay in ambush behind the rocks on both sides of the road, their breathing almost blending into the environment.

Their patience finally paid off in the latter half of the night; the sounds of Explosive Tag and booming Ninjutsu could be clearly heard from a great distance in the direction of the Mining Area.

Not long after, the commotion subsided, and then a moment later, hurried footsteps could be heard in the distance.

"They're here!"

Taiichi's hands had already formed Hand Seals, Chakra surged and flowed through his meridians. Yohei's Three-Tomoe Sharingan glowed with a blood-red light in the shadows, his eyes fixed intently on the end of the road.

Eight ninjas were fleeing in panic, seemingly being chased by someone. The moment they stepped into the valley, Taiichi and Yohei, who had been lying in ambush, launched their attack.

Fire Style: Great Fire Annihilation.

Fire Style: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet.

Two Fire Style, one from the left and one from the right, swept across the entire valley, instantly burning down many of the unsuspecting Bounty Ninja.

Among the Bounty Ninja, there were also capable individuals. Taking advantage of the moment when their companions shielded them, a Water Wall suddenly rose up to extinguish the flames on their bodies, followed by an Earth Wall that rose up to block the flames.

Just when the Bounty Ninja thought he could block the Fire Style, Taiichi suddenly exerted his power, his Chakra output was violent, and the originally orange flames suddenly turned into Bright Gold.

Intense high-temperature radiation accompanied by blinding light, the Flame Dragon overflowed the Earth Wall like a river, evaporating the water curtain and mercilessly swallowing everything in its path.

Those Bounty Ninja who were wailing in the flames and hiding behind the water curtain fell silent instantly, leaving only the sound of the raging fire in the world.

When Taiichi stopped using his Fire Style, the Bright Gold flames returned to their normal orange-red color. As there was nothing left to burn, the flames gradually died down, leaving only dark red lava still glowing red in the valley.

The eight Bounty Ninja, however, were completely gone, not even ashes remained.

Across the valley, Yohei was also dumbfounded. He had thought that a close battle was about to begin when he saw that the Fire Style was blocked by the opponent, but Taiichi suddenly exerted his power, and then that was it.

Although I already knew that Taiichi's Fire Style was powerful, this was just too powerful. The Earth Style, which had strong defense, and the Water Style, which was effective against Fire Style, were completely useless in front of Taiichi's Fire Style.

At this moment, the Captain had just entered the valley. The Fire Style the valley had been too violent, so he could only enter after it subsided.

Looking at everything in the valley, the idea of helping to clean up the battlefield vanished completely. There was nothing left to clean up; there was absolutely nothing there.

Surprise flashed across his eyes, then Captain Yamaguchi greeted the two men and told them to hurry back before disappearing with a bang. It turned out that it was just a Shadow Clone.

Meanwhile, those eight Bounty Ninja were chased for their lives by a Shadow Clone until they died. I wonder what they will think when they learn the truth. I bet they will be so angry that they will die again!

On the seventh day, the fact that eight ninjas hadn't returned all night clearly alerted the enemy. So far in the mission, the enemy had lost 14 ninjas, although they were only Genin, it was still a significant loss.

Sure enough, the enemy was more cautious today. Not only were they more numerous, but they were also more slippery. Taiichi and Yohei could no longer find an opportunity to wipe them out in one fell swoop as they had the first time.

Even so, over the next three days, they managed to eliminate seven more enemies.

But the Kawata Clan seemed determined, continuing to hire ninjas to harass them, and their actions precisely hit Team 8's weak spot.

The prolonged harassment has prevented the team from getting enough rest, and both Yohei and Saori's condition has noticeably declined.

"Damn it, these people are like flies, they just won't stop." Yohei's eyes were red; he wasn't in his Sharingan mode at the moment, his eyes were just red from exhaustion.

"Since they have so many people, why don't they just swarm us and instead just keep at it like this!" Saori didn't understand either. The other side clearly had the numerical advantage, and there were also Sand Village Ninja who hadn't made a move yet, so why would they adopt this harassment tactic?

"Who knows? Maybe it's just internal discord and they don't like each other."

Taiichi was exhausted these past few days, and upon hearing this, he complained irritably about the ninjas.

Even so, if they keep harassing us like this, we won't be able to hold out for long.

"Alright then." Looking at the three exhausted men, Masasuke Yamaguchi readjusted the personnel. "For the next few days, one of you will rest, and the other two will go out hunting in pairs. I'll stay in the Mining Area alone."

"And what about you, Captain?"

"You're not always out hunting, so I can rest when you return."

"Well, that's the only way to arrange it."

This stalemate continued until the 10th day.

That day, Taiichi finished his rest and went out to prepare to take over from Saori. As he brushed past a miner, he suddenly became alert. He quickly called out to the miner and carefully observed his expression.

His skin was pale with an unnatural bluish-gray tinge, and his lips were slightly purple—clearly signs of poisoning.

His heart sank, and he immediately pulled the miner to the Captain and Tokugawa Shuo, explaining the situation to them.

Within just over ten minutes, all personnel in the Mining Area were gathered together. After Taiichi's rapid diagnosis, it was confirmed that six people, including Tokugawa Shuo, had been poisoned. Although the symptoms were not yet apparent, if not treated promptly, it could affect the normal operation of the Mining Area.

Taiichi others carefully examined several places that could be poisoned, and finally found the toxin in the kitchen water tank. Considering the source of the water, Taiichi quickly drew a conclusion.

"This is a neurotoxin extracted from Sand Lizard. The other party calculated the time and distance precisely, releasing the poison upstream when we went to the river to collect water. This way, as long as the dosage is controlled, the toxin content in the water we collect can be guaranteed."

"Sand Lizard, it seems the Sunagakure has made its move." Captain Yamaguchi's expression was grave. He immediately ordered the sealing off of all water supply in the Mining Area and instructed Saori and Yohei to explain the situation to the unpoisoned miners.

After watching Captain Yamaguchi successfully arrange everything, Tokugawa Shuo asked in a trembling voice, "Captain Yamaguchi, what about those of us who have been poisoned? Are we in danger?"

Captain Yamaguchi looked at the terrified Tokugawa Shuo and the five miners behind him who were trembling with fear, and said in the calmest tone, "Don't worry, we have the best Medical Ninja here, your poison will be cured soon."

At this moment, Tokugawa Shuo remembered Taiichi's miraculous antidote on the way here, and finally put his heart back down.

At this moment, Taiichi quickly took out the medicinal herbs he carried with him and, combined with the existing drug reserves in the Mining Area, prepared an antidote on the spot. Fortunately, this was just a standard poison from Sunagakure, and the six people had not been poisoned for long.

In less than half an hour, the six pills that Taiichi had carefully prepared were successfully completed.

Seeing the antidote handed to him, Tokugawa Shuo couldn't think of anything else. He eagerly picked up a pill and stuffed it into his mouth. The other five miners quickly followed suit, each picking up a pill and eating it.

Yohei looked at the impatient looks on their faces with schadenfreude.

Sure enough, following the first gag, a series of retching sounds followed. Then, a warning that sounded like it came from hell rang in everyone's ears, "Don't vomit! The ingredients here can only make so much antidote. If you vomit, you'll have to eat it all back."

Upon hearing this, the six people covered their mouths, which were dry heaving, and looked at Taiichi with tears in their eyes. Only then did Tokugawa Shuo realize why Yohei had that expression when he took the medicine; it was simply because the medicine tasted so awful.

Not long after the poisoning incident was resolved, a sharp whistle rang out in the distance—a signal that the Shadow Clone had encountered the enemy! As the whistle continued intermittently, Taiichi and Captain Yamaguchi exchanged a glance, then joined Yohei and Saori and rushed out together.

This stalemate, with the poisoning by Sunagakure, is finally about to be broken.

When the Yamaguchi Squad arrived at the attack site, Yohei and Captain Yamaguchi's Shadow Clone had just been destroyed by the enemy. Fortunately, they had also completed their mission and successfully kept the enemy out of the Mining Area.

Through the memories transmitted by the Shadow Clone, the two also learned about the enemy's basic situation: a Wind Style Jonin from Sunagakure, a Puppet Master Jonin, and three Chunin.

"Aren't these the Sunagakure's Wind Wolf Jonin and Sha Kui Jonin? Are you all preparing to take action yourselves!" Captain Yamaguchi looked at the two leading ninjas and said with feigned surprise, "Where are those Bounty Ninja? Aren't you going to attack together?"

"Sunagakure wouldn't stoop so low as to team up with Bounty Ninja. We're all you need to defeat you—" the Jonin named Wind Wolf said Jonin.

But before the Sand Village Ninja could finish speaking, Taiichi, who was hiding behind, had already quickly completed the Hand Seals.

Fire Style: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet. A raging, Bright Gold flame, like an exploding fire dragon, rushed straight towards the Sand Village Ninja. Even before the flames arrived, the oppressive heat wave made it difficult for the Sunagakure members to breathe.

Following closely Taiichi, Saori quickly Hand Seals as well.

Lightning Style: Lightning Net – A Lightning Ball, launched later, struck the spot where the Sunagakure members stood first. As the Lightning Ball exploded, a massive electric net suddenly unfolded.

Caught off guard, a Sunagakure Chunin a little slow to retreat and was paralyzed by the electric net, leaving him standing there frozen in place.

"Despicable! Is this how Konoha ninjas launch sneak attacks?" Wind Wolf roared repeatedly as he retreated, his hands Hand Seals at the same time.

Wind Style: Great Breakthrough! A howling hurricane bursts from the Wind Wolf's mouth, attempting to hinder the fire dragon's attack. However, the Bright Gold fire dragon is as solid as a physical object, completely unaffected by the gale.

"Ah!" A shrill scream rang out, Taiichi's Fire Style didn't give the Chunin a second chance to Chunin out. The Bright Gold flames took his life in an instant.

Captain Yamaguchi seized the opportunity and Body Flicker the retreating Wind Wolf.

Taiichi immediately engaged the Puppet Master named Feng Kui.

Yohei and Saori each Chunin.

The match suddenly changed from 5 against 4 to 1 against 1.

The Puppet Master from Sunagakure was also an experienced Jonin. Before Taiichi could even reach him, the three Puppet had already formed Sancai Formation and were flanking Taiichi.

Having learned from his previous experience dealing with the Puppet Master, Taiichi didn't stop moving as he watched the Puppet charging towards him, while simultaneously Hand Seals rapidly.

Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Fire.

Like a machine gun, Taiichi of Fireball, the Bright Gold Fireball arranged in groups of three, forming an orderly array as they charged toward the attacking Puppet.

Having just witnessed the terror of these flames, the Puppet Master Sha Kui knew that the fireproofing on his Puppet was completely inadequate against such high temperatures. He quickly pulled on the Puppet strings, maneuvering his Puppet to dodge the Fireball.

At the same time, Sha Kui glanced at his companion Wind Wolf, hoping to exchange opponents with him, as the brat's Fire Style was too effective against his Puppet.

But what he saw only made him angrier and more furious. Wind Wolf was completely suppressed by Konoha's Jonin. In fact, Wind Wolf was the one who needed help more than anyone else.

"Damn it, I knew this guy was arrogant and conceited, yet I still believed his nonsense. I've ruined a winning hand!"

His gaze then swept over the remaining two Chunin, and he noticed that their situation was even Jonin Wind Wolf.

"Boom boom boom"

A barrage of Phoenix Sage Fire rained down on the ground, Fireball relentlessly bombarding the Puppet's form, quickly shattering the encircling formation.

Taiichi seized the opportunity and used his Body Flicker Transmission technique repeatedly, instantly appearing in front of Sha Kui in the blink of an eye.

At this moment, Sha Kui was slightly distracted by observing his teammates, and his reaction to Taiichi's sudden attack was a beat slower.

With a loud "bang," a Chakra Enhanced Strength Fist struck Sha Kui squarely in the chest, sending Sha Kui flying backward.

However, Taiichi's expression changed immediately after he succeeded, and he Body Flicker disappeared without a second thought.

Sure enough, it was only a second too late.

"Boom"

The sound of the Explosive Tag exploding echoed on the spot, and Sha Kui, who had been hammered away, was scattered into pieces before he even hit the ground. It turned out that this was a Puppet Substitute.

Having Taiichi regained his footing after dodging the explosion, Chakra immediately released his Chakra Sensory Technique. Randomly, everything within a 500-meter radius slowly entered Taiichi's mind, from near to far.

In his perception, 50 meters to the southwest, a figure was slowly moving away from him, using the cover of the trees.

"Are they trying to escape?"

Taiichi didn't have time to think much. The Puppet, having escaped the Fireball attack, was already rushing towards him Taiichi. However, probably because the Puppet Master was too far away, the Puppet's speed was noticeably slower.

Taiichi gathered Chakra in his hands again, instantly Body Flicker in on the charging Puppet, and smashed them away with a single punch each— Puppet that were clearly being used as cannon fodder.

As the Puppet was damaged, the figure that had been slowly retreating in the distance immediately accelerated its retreat.

"They really did run away!"

Taiichi withdrew his senses and looked at the three battlefields.

Yohei had become extremely skilled at using his Three-Tomoe Sharingan, and his Chunin opponent was completely under his control, so there was no need to worry too much.

The Sharingan of the Uchiha Clan truly lives up to its reputation as a top-tier Kekkei Genkai; once the Three-Tomoe are activated, one can quickly attain the strength of Jonin.

Since Yohei awakened his Sharingan to the Three-Tomoe, his strength has increased at a visible rate, and he now firmly possesses the strength of Special Jonin.

Looking at Saori again, although her strength is not as good as Yohei's, she is now at the level of Chunin. She was fighting the Sunagakure Chunin to a standstill.

Saori has clearly made great progress in her Sealing Jutsu during this time. She can now release Sealing Jutsu like the Lamp Array Jutsu at will. Although this Sealing Jutsu has very little effect on Chunin, in this intense battle, even the slightest delay is a fatal flaw.

So in the short time that Taiichi observed, Saori was the first to defeat the enemy.

The two exchanged a knowing glance, Taiichi immediately rushed towards the Jonin were fighting, while Saori went to provide support for Yohei.

At this moment, Wind Wolf was filled with remorse. He had been too arrogant and underestimated these Konoha Ninja. If he had been able to join forces with those Bounty Ninja, this mission would have been a sure thing.

But there's no going back in life, and to save face for Sunagakure, the Bounty Ninja weren't even notified about this mission.

As expected, with Taiichi joining the battle, the Sunagakure Jonin n't even last a minute before Captain Yamaguchi pierced his heart. In his dying moments, his eyes were filled with regret.

With the battle on the Jonin's side over, Yohei and Saori also dealt with the last remaining Chunin.

The four members of Team 8 reunited.

"The Puppet Master I was fighting saw things were going badly and had already fled. By the time I discovered it, it was too late," Taiichi readily admitted his mistake.