It failed again!
Looking at the report from his subordinate about the assassination squad going missing, the Third Raikage A stood up, looking somewhat irritated.
How enviable! Konoha had produced another super-genius!
Gazing at the scenery outside the window, the Third Raikage sighed inwardly.
For this second assassination attempt, the village had dispatched an Elite Jonin and three Jonin, and had even activated an important pawn embedded in Konoha.
With proper preparation, a team of this size could even have a chance to ambush and assassinate a Kage.
Yet, against all expectations, they had once again met with failure in Konoha.
Was the brat called Shimura Kizaru simply too monstrously strong, or had Konoha done too good a job protecting him?
With insufficient intelligence, the Third Raikage and his team of advisors were unable to make a judgment.
At the same time, a new question presented itself to the Third Raikage.
Should he continue sending ninja to carry out assassinations, or give up?
Or should he seek out Sunagakure and Iwagakure, who had provided the intelligence, and join forces with them for another assassination attempt?
Just as the Third Raikage hesitated, Kizaru presented him with a new option.
The old man was coming right to him!
After two days of rushing, Kizaru's three-man squad successfully infiltrated the Land of Lightning.
Hidden inside a secluded cave, the three were making their final checks before putting their plan into action.
Before entering the Land of Lightning, all three had changed their clothes and disguises. Now they were dressed as Bounty Ninja.
"According to intelligence gathered by Anbu, Kumogakure has established seven outposts along the coastal border." As he spoke, Sarutobi Shinnosuke pointed to the seven locations on the map. "We'll split up and launch surprise attacks on all seven."
"Each of these seven outposts has at least a Chunin squad on guard, and some may have Jonin stationed there.
"We mustn't let our guard down during the attacks. We have to finish quickly!" At this point, Sarutobi Shinnosuke made a point of looking at Kizaru, who most enjoyed running his mouth during a fight.
"Jonin? How scary!" Kizaru replied with a sigh, completely oblivious.
Shinnosuke wanted to give him another warning or two, but when he thought of Kizaru's monstrous strength, he held back.
"We need to leave survivors during these attacks so Kumogakure receives the news and we can lure the snake out of its hole. But don't make it too obvious, or they'll get suspicious."
"How many should we leave?" Hatake Sakumo asked directly.
Looking up and glancing between Kizaru and Hatake Sakumo, Sarutobi Shinnosuke said, "Sakumo, leave one alive. I'll leave one alive on my end, too."
Then Sarutobi Shinnosuke looked at Kizaru and continued, "Kizaru, your Light Style is too conspicuous. Kill everyone at the outpost you're responsible for. Leave no one alive."
Kizaru had wanted to say that he didn't need Light Style and could take out the enemies using Taijutsu alone.
But he figured Shinnosuke wouldn't feel reassured, so he kept it to himself and simply nodded.
After giving his instructions, Sarutobi Shinnosuke assigned the seven outposts and brought the briefing to an end.
"Rest for now. We move at nightfall!" As he spoke, Sarutobi Shinnosuke rolled up the map on the ground.
It was already afternoon, with only two or three hours until nightfall.
None of them said another word. Each leaned against the wall, swallowed a Military Ration Pill, drank some water, and closed their eyes to rest.
Time flew by. The sun slowly sank, the moon rose, and darkness fell.
The three opened their eyes in unison and exchanged glances. Then Sarutobi Shinnosuke spoke.
"Move out!"
With that, Sarutobi Shinnosuke stood first and headed for the cave entrance.
Kizaru and Hatake Sakumo followed close behind, standing and leaving the cave together.
A moonless night with high winds—the perfect night for murder!
Without a word, each of them used the Body Flicker Technique to hurry toward their assigned outpost.
The outpost assigned to Kizaru was in a stretch of dense forest to the northwest.
To avoid revealing his whereabouts, Kizaru didn't transform into a flash of golden light to travel. Instead, he used the Invisibility Technique and made his way through the mountainous terrain.
After quickly crossing a vast stretch of barren hills, Kizaru spotted a forest ahead.
Having studied the map and intelligence, Kizaru knew that Kumogakure had set up two outposts in this forest.
Slowing his pace, Kizaru activated Observation Haki and entered the woods, swallowed by darkness.
Concealed in the forest's shadows, Kizaru was like the most terrifying and supreme predator in the woods as he headed for the first outpost.
Using Observation Haki, he sensed the presence of three Kumogakure ninja, and the corners of his mouth curled upward.
"How interesting!" Kizaru murmured as he crept close to the first outpost.
Two were inside the outpost's wooden hut, while one was hidden in a tree about three meters away, in the six o'clock direction.
After pinpointing the three men's positions with Observation Haki, Kizaru made his move.
With a single Body Flicker, Kizaru appeared in front of the ninja hidden in the tree, who was keeping watch.
Judging by the presence he sensed with Observation Haki, the man was an ordinary Chunin.
Invisible, Kizaru stood in front of him with his hands in his pockets, completely undetected.
With the mission taking priority, Kizaru said nothing. He simply raised his right hand, extended his index finger, and thrust forward with Finger Pistol, driving it into the enemy's forehead.
The powerful current of air from the Finger Pistol pierced straight through the enemy's head.
Kizaru drew back his right hand and casually flicked it in the air.
When he saw the enemy's body start to fall, Kizaru reached out to catch it and gently leaned it against the tree trunk.
After eliminating his first target, Kizaru turned his gaze toward the wooden hut ahead.
He jumped down from the tree and landed soundlessly. At that moment, Kizaru was like an elegant Grim Reaper as he walked toward the hut.
Perhaps to make it easier to hear what was happening outside, the hut's door had been left ajar.
Inside, one ninja was tending to his Ninja Sword while another was smoking.
Kizaru entered the hut and walked up to the one smoking. He raised his right hand again and extended his index finger.
Given how unpleasant the last attack had felt on his finger, Kizaru switched to a different method this time.
A golden laser flashed past, striking the enemy precisely in the forehead and killing him in one blow.
It was official: smoking in public places was bad for your health!
His teammate's sudden death stunned the other ninja, who had been wiping his blade, but he reacted at once.
He gripped his sword in his right hand and was just about to point it forward when he felt a tremendous force travel through the blade, driving his hand to thrust it toward his own forehead.
His mouth opened, but before he could make a sound, the enemy, whose own sword had pierced his forehead, was already dead!
After eliminating all the enemies, Kizaru dispelled the Invisibility Technique and revealed himself.
He looked around at the bloody scene of death inside the hut and sighed. "How frightening!"
With that, Kizaru strolled out of the hut.
He glanced up at the dim moon, then walked into the shadows of the forest, his figure slowly vanishing once more.