On the coastline, a small squad was carrying out a mission.
"Ambush! Ambush!"
Yamada Taiyu's shout was nearly swallowed by the wind. His teammates reacted swiftly, forming a protective perimeter around the wealthy merchant's son in the carriage.
They were secretly carrying out a B-rank mission, escorting the merchant's son to another small country.
A group of figures burst out from the woods ahead. Every one of them was powerfully built, their muscles bulging beneath one-shouldered shinobi combat uniforms.
"Lightning Release: Lightning Illusion Flash Pillar!"
The shinobi in front of Yamada Taiyu's squad suddenly began glowing with blinding white light.
"It's Kumogakure's Lightning Release genjutsu! Look away!"
Yamada Taiyu shouted as he was the first to squeeze his eyes shut.
He had encountered Kumogakure shinobi using this technique before. As long as he closed his eyes, he could block out most of the light.
That was the value of experience.
"Kill the target."
Desato roared and charged forward with his Katana raised.
This mission had been commissioned by the merchant's enemy, who demanded the death of his only son!
As long as they killed him, the mission would be complete. They did not need to keep fighting these Konoha shinobi and could leave immediately!
Yamada Taiyu immediately refined Chakra and formed hand seals.
"Water Release: Water Fang Bullet!"
Rotating water gathered in his right hand, condensing into the shape of water spears that shot rapidly toward the Kumogakure shinobi.
"Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall!"
The Kumogakure shinobi instantly formed seals and raised a wall of earth in the path of the water spears, intercepting every one of them.
Yamada Taiyu was about to use Water Release: Water Fang Bullet again when a flash of steel cut across him. A grotesque gash suddenly opened across his abdomen.
He screamed. Hearing the