The Unborn Akatsuki

Of all chakra natures, Yin-Yang Release was clearly the hardest to improve, and the Rinnegan was a highway straight to the end of Yin-Yang Release.

That was why Nagato was crucial to Uchiha Mo. Now that he had been discovered, Mo decided to greet them ahead of time.

He rapidly closed in, intense flames suddenly igniting along the gleaming blade and engulfing the entire ninja sword.

The instant he unleashed his chakra, Nagato's purple eyes abruptly constricted. A powerful repulsive force burst from his body and sent every enemy flying as he shouted:

"Yahiko, Konan! Be careful! A powerful chakra is approaching!"

Before his words had faded, a streak of fire suddenly charged into the battlefield!

Uchiha Mo wore a high-collared black robe, with a conspicuous Uchiha Clan crest emblazoned on its back. He flitted through the bandits like a butterfly; wherever his blade passed, severed limbs and blood flew through the air, only to be instantly evaporated by the flames.

Within just a few breaths, more than half the bandits on the field had fallen.

Nagato's raised right hand slowly lowered when he saw that the newcomer bore no ill intent, though his gaze still kept drifting toward Uchiha Mo. Yahiko only belatedly reacted, frowning as he shouted:

"Please show mercy, sir! They are merely ordinary people driven to this by the hardships of life!"

Uchiha Mo turned a deaf ear. His long blade swept out, sending two terrified heads flying high into the air. He then spun and kicked sideways, launching away a bandit who had tried to ambush him.

Thus, less than ten seconds after Uchiha Mo entered the fray, fewer than ten bandits remained. Having long since lost their will to fight, they stared at Uchiha Mo in terror, trembling as they threw down their weapons and turned to flee!

Mo gave them a glance but did not pursue. He flicked the blood from his blade and slowly sheathed it.

At the side, Konan hurried forward to inspect the injury on Nagato's arm, while Yahiko strode up to Uchiha Mo. He let out a long sigh and said:

"Thank you for coming to our aid..."

Before he could finish, two figures flashed into existence beside Uchiha Mo.

Yahiko's heart skipped a beat. His eyes shifted as he finally took a closer look at the people before him.

"Body Flicker Technique... Hidden Leaf forehead protectors..."

Nagato rose warily to his feet, supporting his bandaged arm as he came to stand beside Yahiko.

"May I ask who you all are?" Yahiko raised a hand, his expression mild.

Although Uchiha Mo had ignored his request and killed many bandits, he had ultimately been helping them. Yahiko was not foolishly kind enough to make an issue of it.

Uchiha Mo glanced at Nagato before giving Yahiko a slight nod.

"Uchiha Mo. No need for pleasantries. If you want to thank me, tell me whether any Sunagakure ninja have been active around the border lately."

Inoue Shoji finally caught up, but no one paid him any attention. Yahiko stroked his chin and fell into thought, while Nagato took the initiative to answer:

"Early this morning, three ninja wearing Sunagakure forehead protectors passed through here toward the Grass Country. Come to think of it, Sunagakure seems to have some sort of operation underway lately. A large number of ninja have been deployed, causing unrest along the border. There have been a lot more bandits as well, which is why we came here."

Once he finished speaking, Uchiha Mo turned and left with a hand resting on his ninja sword. Kakashi and the other two froze for a moment before hurriedly following him.

So he was only after intelligence for the mission? Kakashi glanced at the boy's profile beside him, inexplicably feeling somewhat disappointed.

The scene of Nagato being injured while saving his companions suddenly surfaced in his mind...

Behind them, Yahiko stared at the Uchiha Clan crest on Mo's back and frowned in silence for a long while.

Seeing this, Nagato asked in confusion, "What is it, Yahiko? Is there something wrong with that group?"

Yahiko shook his head. "Uchiha Mo... I feel like I've heard that name somewhere before... And he seemed very interested in you, Nagato."

Nagato raised a hand and touched the rim of his eye. "Perhaps it's because of these eyes. The Uchiha are a ninja clan with a thousand-year legacy. Maybe he recognized them already..."

Elsewhere, the group raced toward the border of the Grass Country.

Inoue Shoji asked in confusion, "Wasn't our mission to gather intelligence on the Kazekage? Why are we chasing Sunagakure ninja?"

Silence fell over the group. At last, seeing that no one else answered, Matsumoto Ryohei spoke.

"If the Kazekage really has gone missing, then those people are most likely a team Sunagakure sent out to search for him. Capture them—or rather, as long as we bring back a fresh head, the intelligence will naturally be ours."

"I see."

Inoue Shoji nodded with a look of realization.

The sun slanted westward, and evening arrived.

Led by Uchiha Mo, the group rapidly closed in on the Sunagakure ninja ahead. They could even see clear signs of human passage.

Looking at a faint footprint in the grass, Matsumoto Ryohei could not help but marvel, "Mo, your sensory ability is really impressive. I thought we'd need to track them for at least a day. Who knew the Uchiha could produce sensory-type ninja too?"

Uchiha Mo replied calmly, "There is nothing these eyes cannot see."

Matsumoto Ryohei smiled and shook his head, taking it merely as an Uchiha's pride in the Sharingan.

"Alright. Since we're about to catch up, I'll assign the mission now. There are three enemies. I'll hold off their leading jonin. The three of you will split into two groups: Kakashi and Shoji will handle one, while Mo takes one alone. If we have an overwhelming advantage, try to capture them or wipe them all out. If they prove too strong, seize one enemy and retreat immediately! Understood?"

"Understood!"

"Good! Then the operation begins!"

At the command, the four of them abruptly accelerated. Before long, three figures appeared ahead.

Seeing that they had yet to be noticed, Matsumoto Ryohei was about to order everyone to hide when the ninja in the middle, clad in a green jonin vest, suddenly turned around. Though they were a hundred meters apart, Uchiha Mo could clearly see the red markings painted on the man's cheeks. His entire head was wrapped in white cloth, with an additional strip hanging down from the right side of his face.

Since they had been discovered, Matsumoto Ryohei could only abandon the idea of a sneak attack and shout instead, "Begin the operation!"

As his words fell, he rapidly formed hand seals with both hands while closing in.

Rat—Ox—Tiger—Snake—Horse—Rooster

"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"

A massive surge of water rose from Matsumoto Ryohei's body, taking the form of a dragon in midair before hurtling toward the Sunagakure ninja ahead!

However, the distance between them was too great. The three Sand Ninja swiftly scattered, and the Water Dragon Bullet struck the ground directly, leaving behind a puddle.

But Matsumoto Ryohei had already achieved his goal. He charged at the Sand Ninja in the middle while shouting, "Leave the other two to you!"

Kakashi nodded, drew White Fang from his back, and took the lead in charging toward the Sand Ninja on the right. Inoue Shoji immediately followed.

The remaining Sand Ninja naturally fell to Uchiha Mo. However, Mo was in no hurry to attack. He merely kept the Sand Ninja occupied while watching the battle on the other side.

That person... should be Baki. Matsumoto can't possibly be a match for him.

At the same time, Mo's attention settled on the panel.

Blue Baby Fusion Rate: 10.52% + 0.21% (Both attributes have reached 10%; ability unlocked: Invisibility)