Task and Companions

Underground.

Rukawa Oguri estimated the time, opened his eyes, and looked at his companion, Kawatani Mori, beside him.

Kawatani Mori was a Jonin and the sensory ninja for their small squad. Deep within Konoha's defensive lines, Kawatani Mori bore a heavy burden, needing to use his Perception Technique every five minutes to avoid encountering the enemy.

Therefore, Rukawa Oguri was responsible for keeping time and performing defensive duties alongside the others to avoid draining his energy.

But this time, without any reminder, Kawatani Mori was already performing a scan.

Perception was an energy-draining task, especially at a frequency of once every five minutes. Under normal circumstances, unless prompted, Kawatani Mori would always try his best to rest and recover his strength.

Something was wrong!

Rukawa Oguri's eyes sharpened, his nerves instantly tightening.

Once Kawatani Mori finished his scan, he asked in a low voice, "What is it? Did you find something?"

The remaining Sand Ninja turned their heads one after another, silently watching the two, ready for battle.

"No, there are no Konoha ninja outside, but I just have a bad premonition," Kawatani Mori frowned.

"Your nerves are too frayed," Rukawa Oguri said with a comforting smile. "The trap has been triggered; those Konoha ninja should have all been reduced to scraps by now. As for follow-up patrols, unless they are entirely composed of the Hyuga clan, there is no way they could find us."

"I suppose so," Kawatani Mori reached up and rubbed his brow.

"The pressure is indeed a bit high deep behind enemy lines. Just hold on a little longer; we can retreat in three days," Rukawa Oguri patted his shoulder.

Rumble!

Crack!

A sudden sound erupted overhead. The seven Sand Ninja immediately looked up as dust and gravel rained down, and cracks spread rapidly across the ceiling.

Kawatani Mori was struck with horror. He released his Perception Technique instantly, and upon seeing the situation outside, cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

The next second, he stood up and roared.

"Run!!"

"Earth Style: Earth Splitter Palm."

"Earth Style: Earth Flow Split."

"Earth Style: Rock Shelter Collapse."

Rumble!

As soon as the agreed-upon time arrived, Sen Chisato, Sarutobi Hakuba, and Maruboshi Kosuke immediately took action.

The earth shattered and the mountain collapsed. The small hill transformed into massive boulders, then sank, filling the space below in an attempt to bury those hiding within.

Faint screams echoed from underground.

But the three did not relax, maintaining their guard as Hyuga Hihi's warning arrived simultaneously.

"Captain, beneath you!"

Sarutobi Hakuba did not hesitate for a second, leaping high into the air.

At the same time, a ninja blade pierced through the ground where he had been standing.

Having missed the strike, the surviving Sand Ninja finally emerged.

"To think there really was a Hyuga clan ninja here—what rotten luck!"

Rukawa Oguri cursed with a gloomy face, staring fixedly at Sarutobi Hakuba, and said without looking back, "Mori, take Tanijo and go. I will cover you."

Kawatani Mori looked at his dying companion, whom he was half-carrying on his shoulder. He wanted to say something, but in the end, he kept it to himself, only urging, "Just stall them, don't get bogged down in a fight."

With that, he rushed toward the other side with his companion.

Having scanned in a hurry just moments ago, he vaguely remembered that besides this adult ninja, there was also an old man and a brat attacking them.

Since the end of the Warring States period, there had been three Great Ninja Wars. An old man who could survive until now and remain active on the battlefield was definitely not someone to be trifled with, therefore...

"Don't blame me, kid!"

Looking at the brat before him, Kawatani Mori released his companion, his speed surging as he closed in on his target, his ninja blade slashing down fiercely.

Even if the enemy before him was just a kid, he was still a true Konoha ninja. As an enemy, he would show no mercy, and the current situation did not allow for it.

Yet, he had miscalculated the strength of this brat.

Clang!

With a light sound, the ninja blade in his hand was blocked, and Kawatani Mori's pupils constricted.

He had expected the opponent to retreat, dodge, or use ninjutsu to defend or force him back; he never expected this kid to draw his blade and meet the strike head-on.

To be on the battlefield at this age, the opponent must be a genius, but the physical gap between them was destined to be insurmountable. Meeting the strike head-on was the most foolish response, and one he had not anticipated.

"Surprised?"

Forced into a half-crouch by the pressure of the blade, Sen Chisato swung his short blade. The sudden burst of power knocked Kawatani Mori's weapon aside, and relying on his explosive speed and small frame, he lunged forward, preparing to deal a heavy blow.

But Kawatani Mori reacted extremely quickly and remained calm, retreating directly to his companion's side and even steadying the stumbling man.

"This is bad."

With a soft sigh, Kawatani Mori's expression turned grim.

If they couldn't break through quickly, they were definitely done for today.

Sen Chisato had no idea what the other was thinking. He crouched low, weaving forward, and as soon as he reached a certain distance, he immediately formed hand seals.

Letting the enemy get close earlier had just been a lure to see if he could find an opening for an instant counter-kill. Since that hadn't worked, he naturally had no intention of engaging in swordplay or taijutsu.

He was well aware of the physical disparity between them; why would he attack their strengths with his own weaknesses?

Besides, while his body was his shortcoming, ninjutsu and chakra were his strengths.

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"

A massive fireball was spat from his mouth. As it moved, it plowed a trench into the earth, the soil on both sides scorched into molten rock.

"A scale like this—how is it possible!"

Kawatani Mori had originally intended to coat his ninja blade in chakra to cleave the fireball in two, then seize the chance to charge in and catch his opponent off guard. Now, he could only grab his companion by the shoulder and dodge rapidly.

Glancing at the companion in his grip, a flicker of hidden disgust crossed his eyes.

This guy was nothing but a dead weight. If not for Rukawa Oguri's request, he would have abandoned him long ago.

Although they were companions, what was a companion compared to a mission or his own life?

At that moment, Tanijo suddenly broke free from his grasp, formed hand seals rapidly, and slammed his hands onto the ground.

"Earth Style: Earth Wall."

A wall of earth rose rapidly, shielding the two of them behind it.

Boom, boom, boom!

Fireballs streaked over their heads and past their sides, while more slammed into the earth wall. In an instant, the wall cracked and collapsed, leaving only half standing.

"What kind of background does this brat have? How is his ninjutsu so powerful?" Crouched behind the remains of the wall, Kawatani Mori cursed under his breath.

As a jonin, he had seen plenty of various ninjutsu, and he was naturally familiar with the technique Sen Chisato was using, but he wished he weren't.

This was simply not the power level the Phoenix Sage Fire Technique should be able to reach!

The ninjutsu ceased, and footsteps rang out. Kawatani Mori knew the brat was charging in.

"If I keep getting tangled up with this kid, once other Konoha ninja arrive, even I'll die here. I must end this quickly and escape immediately!"

Thinking this, he turned his head and said, "Tanijo, draw this brat's attention. I'm going to kill him!"

"Yes, Lord Mori!"

Without a second word, Tanijo vaulted out from behind the half-collapsed wall with his ninja blade and slashed down at Sen Chisato. "Go to hell, brat!"

Sen Chisato dodged to the side, parrying with his blade while stepping back, but the Sand Ninja before him acted like a madman, hacking and slashing with his blade regardless of anything else.