The Second Wave of Ninjas

"If you disappeared, what level of ninja would come looking for you, and how many days would it take?" Yin Xiang asked the Chunin.

"The situation right now... is complicated. If the two of us defectors disappeared while carrying out a mission, the village would send someone to look for us within a day."

"One day... sooner than I expected." Yin Xiang nodded, then lowered his head in thought. If they weren't two defectors, it would take at least three days for anyone to come looking. But if two defectors did come, it would be to test their loyalty.

If they ran away as soon as they left the village, they would definitely be hunted down.

"We should take turns keeping watch tonight. They might have someone following them," Shikaku said with a nod.

"I'll take the first shift," Rock Lee volunteered.

"All right." Yin Xiang nodded, then went over and tied the Chunin up tightly before tossing him aside. He even stuck an Explosive Tag to the man's back. "Don't move around, or you'll lose your life." Yin Xiang finished speaking and patted the Chunin on the shoulder.

"D-don't... What if..." The Chunin was terrified by Yin Xiang.

"Hey, there's no 'what if.' As long as you don't move, nothing will happen." Yin Xiang smiled, then returned to his spot, leaving the Chunin curled up on the ground in fear.

After that, everyone went back to sleep. Only Yamashin couldn't sleep because of what had happened to his father.

Rock Lee was followed by Neji, then Guy, and then Yin Xiang. By the time Yin Xiang's watch came around, it was early morning and nearly light.

Yin Xiang stretched at the cave entrance and loosened up his joints, then sighed. It really was impossible to get a good night's sleep while out on a mission.

He couldn't stay outside for long, so Yin Xiang soon went back in. He leaned around the corner of the entrance and watched outside in secret. Just as his shift was about to end, he heard movement outside.

"Why am I so unlucky? Every time I come here, I'm the one on watch." Yin Xiang peered outside. A ninja in a dark yellow vest stood at the cave entrance, about to look inside. He didn't seem very old—around twenty.

"An elite jonin?" Yin Xiang initially suspected the ninja was an elite jonin, but then shook his head. Yamashin had said his father had defected too, and elite jonin were probably around forty. Still, it was possible this man was one.

But if the other side had sent two people, and Yin Xiang went out and killed this man now, anyone behind him might see. Then his plan would be ruined.

After thinking it over, Yin Xiang drew his Kunai and leaned against the wall, waiting for the ninja to come inside. He could only wait for him to enter, then quietly take him out and see if anyone else followed.

"Phew..." Yin Xiang let out a quiet breath, then closed his eyes and listened to the footsteps. They came closer and closer. The instant the ninja was about to turn the corner, Yin Xiang grabbed his head and drove the Kunai straight into his throat, leaving him unable to make a sound.

The blow killed the ninja outright. Yin Xiang dragged him into the darkness. The man hadn't managed to make a sound before he died.

"Huff... huff... huff..." Yin Xiang panted heavily. After killing the man, he wasn't nearly as panicked as he had been the first time. A few deep breaths helped him recover.

Once he'd calmed down, Yin Xiang stayed by the corner, quietly watching outside to see if anyone else would come. After waiting a long time, someone finally jumped down from a tree.

"Just as I thought. From the looks of it, these two are Chunin too. They must be ninjas from the Land of Filling." Yin Xiang smiled, then walked straight out, ready to fight this Chunin head-on. He couldn't rely on sneak attacks forever.

With that thought, Yin Xiang left the cave. The ninja in front of him noticed the Forehead Protector at Yin Xiang's waist. "A Konoha Ninja..." The moment he saw it, he understood everything.

"Yeah." Yin Xiang nodded. "Did only you two come?"

"You're just a kid, yet you've got a big mouth." Seeing how young Yin Xiang was, the Chunin grew bolder. He took out a Kunai, ready to fight.

"Shadow Secret Technique." Yin Xiang formed Hand Seals. His shadow crawled up from the ground, then dashed toward the ninja. The man's eyes widened. He'd never seen this technique before, but he still raised his Kunai to block.

The shadow threw a punch.

Clang~

The original shadow and Yin Xiang switched places. Yin Xiang also swung a Kunai down at the ninja, while the shadow appeared behind him and punched toward his waist.

The ninja reacted quickly. Using the force of Yin Xiang's Kunai, he pushed backward and dodged the shadow.

"Lightning Release: Earth Flow!" Yin Xiang formed Hand Seals rapidly. As the ninja landed, a bolt of lightning raced along the ground toward him. "Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!" The ninja used an Earth-Style Wall to block Yin Xiang's attack.

"Rasengan!" Yin Xiang's voice came from behind him. The ninja turned, but the Rasengan struck him squarely in the back. He flew into his Earth-Style Wall, and Yin Xiang's shadow had slipped behind him as soon as he used Earth Flow.

Then they switched places, catching the ninja completely off guard. He crashed into the wall and passed out.

"As expected, ninjas from a small country aren't very strong. No wonder it's a small country," Yin Xiang murmured. Then he dispelled the shadow and dragged the man into the cave. He took rope from his bag and tied the ninja up, then tossed him beside the first one and stuck another Explosive Tag on him for good measure.

"Someone came?" Shikaku had woken up too. He looked at Yin Xiang.

"Yeah. Two more Chunin. One dead, one captured." Yin Xiang nodded.

"Everyone's almost awake now. Go get some more sleep." Shikaku stood up and spoke to Yin Xiang.

"Forget it. I'm not going to sleep. They've lost two more Chunin, so the next ones they send will have to be elite jonin. I'll see if I can take one of them down too." Yin Xiang shook his head. It was already light out, so there was no point going back to sleep.

"Taking down an elite jonin might be a bit much for you."

"I've tested it. This Chunin's strength was only at a Genin's level. He could keep up with what he saw, but his reactions couldn't keep up. I doubt an elite jonin will be much different."

"Don't underestimate them. If the elite jonin is stronger than you expect, you might be done in a single exchange," Shikaku warned Yin Xiang.

"Okay, I understand..." Yin Xiang nodded too.