Not Like Ordinary Mercenaries

"We got him!"

Nara Yu grinned broadly, but before his smile could fully spread, a loud boom rang out. A powerful surge of chakra suddenly erupted from the direction of the distant shrine.

"What was that?"

Kawaki Aoba's heart jolted as he turned to look. A masked figure stood atop the shrine roof, gripping a long staff and radiating a suffocating pressure.

"Oh no... a Jonin!"

Yuhi Shinku's voice was grave. With a slash, he forced back the leader of the black-clad ninja, then turned toward the shrine. "Aoba, Yu, Zhi Hui, protect the supplies. I'll deal with him!"

"Captain Shinku!"

Kawaki Aoba wanted to say something, but Yuhi Shinku had already shot toward the shrine like an arrow, leaving behind only one command: "Hold the convoy! Do not let the supplies be lost!"

Kawaki Aoba clenched his teeth and turned toward the enemies still locked in battle, fury igniting in his eyes. "You bastards... who sent you?"

"Heh heh, kid, do you really think we'd tell you?"

The ninja caught in Nara Yu's Shadow Imitation Technique sneered, a crafty glint flashing through his eyes. "But I can give you a reminder: the real trouble is still ahead!"

The instant he finished speaking, the ground suddenly trembled. A deep rumble rolled in from the distance, as though some massive creature was approaching.

Kawaki Aoba's heart sank. His gaze swept toward the far end of the street, where a dark shadow flickered faintly through the mist.

"What... is that?"

He muttered to himself, tightening his grip on the kunai.

The streets of Konoha were bustling with noise. The moment Kawaki Aoba and his teammates stepped through the village gates, the sudden news brought them to an abrupt halt.

An uneasy atmosphere hung in the air, while the villagers' discussions surged over