Leading Newcomers

After completing the A-rank mission to wipe out the Blood Wolf Gang, Uchiha Narong rested for a few days at the camp on the Land of Rivers border. The commission for the mission was indeed generous, but the danger involved also gave him a clearer understanding of the chaos along the border. The clouds of war were growing thicker, and the atmosphere in the camp grew more tense by the day. Everyone understood that all-out conflict could break out at any moment. In this environment, hiding his strength was no longer wise. Showing his power when appropriate could both intimidate the enemy and win him more initiative in the coming chaos.

Early that morning, just after he finished his morning training, a messenger ninja found him.

"Chunin Uchiha Narong, Lord Orochimaru has ordered you to proceed to headquarters immediately."

Narong straightened his gear and quickly arrived at the largest tent in the center of the camp. Orochimaru was standing before a huge map of the border, his golden snake eyes sweeping over the markings of mountains, rivers, and streams. Hearing footsteps, he spoke without turning his head. "You're here."

"Teacher Orochimaru." Narong bowed respectfully.

Orochimaru turned around and said hoarsely, "There is a patrol mission. You will patrol the border line from sectors D7 to E3 and clear out any wandering ninja or scouts who may be present. The mission rank is tentatively set at A-rank, but the level of danger... depends on luck." The corner of his mouth curled into an inscrutable arc. "If you're lucky, it'll just be some small fry who can't amount to anything. If you're unlucky... you may run into some 'proper' guests." He deliberately emphasized the word "proper."

"You will lead the team this time." Orochimaru tossed over a mission scroll. "The members have already been arranged for you. Aburame Ryoma, chunin, experienced. His bugs are very suitable for reconnaissance and tracking enemies. In addition..." He paused, and his tone seemed to shift subtly. "There are also two newly graduated genin, Asuma Sarutobi and Kurenai Yuhi. Take them along to broaden their horizons, and while you're at it... look after them. After all, one is the Third's son."

Narong's heart stirred. Asuma Sarutobi, the future member of the Twelve Guardian Ninja, son of the Hokage; Kurenai Yuhi, a future genjutsu expert. He hadn't expected them to graduate this early, much less be sent to the perilous border. Orochimaru's final reminder, though bland, revealed that at this moment, he still held a trace of sentiment toward the Third Hokage—or perhaps misgivings.

"Yes, I understand, Teacher Orochimaru." Narong took the scroll. With war approaching, leading a patrol while protecting newcomers was both a responsibility and a test.

"Go. They're waiting for you at Training Ground Three to the east." Orochimaru waved a hand and turned his gaze back to the map.

Narong left headquarters and walked toward the eastern training ground. He weighed this mission in his mind. Bringing two rookie genin along meant no small amount of pressure, but since the situation was tense, he also had to display his strength appropriately and ensure the mission went off without a hitch.

When he arrived at the training ground, three people were already waiting there.

Standing at the front was Aburame Ryoma, wearing the clan's signature high-collared coat and sunglasses, his whole body exuding a steady, calm air. He was an elite of the Aburame Clan and had been promoted to chunin two years ago, with practiced command of his insect secret techniques.

Behind him stood two half-grown children. The boy wore simple ninja clothes, with a senbon clenched in his mouth and a touch of the rebellion and arrogance unique to his age on his face. It was Asuma Sarutobi. The girl had beautiful dark hair, delicate features, and a trace of nervousness and curiosity in her eyes. She was Kurenai Yuhi. Both of them looked only twelve or thirteen.

"Uchiha Narong, ordered to lead this patrol mission through sectors D7 to E3." Narong stepped forward and showed the mission scroll.

Aburame Ryoma nodded slightly. "Aburame Ryoma, awaiting orders." His voice came through his high collar without much fluctuation.

Asuma sized Narong up, seemingly unconvinced by this captain who looked not much older than him. But because of the order, he still said sullenly, "Asuma Sarutobi." Kurenai Yuhi obediently bowed. "Kurenai Yuhi. Please guide me, Senior Narong."

Narong could sense that little thought in Asuma's mind, but he didn't expose it. He went straight to the point. "The mission is simple. Patrol along the designated route and eliminate any non-Konoha ninja discovered along the way. But the border situation is complicated. You must not lower your guard at any time. Ryoma, your bugs will be responsible for reconnaissance and early warning within a one-kilometer range ahead. Asuma, Kurenai, you two stay between me and Ryoma. Pay attention to both sides and the rear. Without my order, you are not to act on your own, and you are absolutely not to leave the team. Understood?"

"Understood!" Aburame Ryoma answered crisply.

"Yes." Kurenai Yuhi nodded seriously.

Asuma curled his lip, but also responded, "Got it."

"Move out!" Narong said no more and was the first to leap out of the camp, rushing toward the border line. Aburame Ryoma followed closely behind, and after exchanging a glance, Asuma and Kurenai Yuhi hurried after them as well.

The four-man squad moved swiftly through dense jungle and rolling mountain terrain. Aburame Ryoma's Destruction Bugs were like invisible sentinels, scattering in every direction and continuously relaying the terrain, living creatures, and chakra reactions ahead.

The first part of the journey was very calm. At first, Asuma was somewhat tense, but after walking for a while and finding no danger, he gradually relaxed, even beginning to speak quietly with Kurenai Yuhi beside him.

"Hey, Kurenai, don't you think there's nothing much to this border? It's all just small animals."

"Asuma, don't be careless. Senior Narong said we have to stay alert."

"I know, but look, Senior Aburame's bugs haven't found anything, have they?"

Narong listened from the front and frowned slightly, but he did not scold them aloud. A common flaw of newcomers.

However, just as they passed through a low-lying valley strewn with rocks, Aburame Ryoma suddenly raised his hand and said in a low voice, "Stop! Five hundred meters ahead, on the left ridge, chakra reactions! Three of them. They're well hidden and camouflaged."

Everyone instantly went on guard.

Narong made a hand signal, and the four quickly concealed themselves behind a boulder. "Can you determine their identities?" Narong asked quietly.

Aburame Ryoma closed his eyes and sensed for a moment. "Their chakra nature... leans toward earth release, with a kind of... rocky heaviness. Most likely... a Hidden Stone reconnaissance team."

They really had run into "proper guests"!

"How strong are they?"

"Chakra strength suggests one at chunin level and two at genin level."

One Hidden Stone chunin leading two genin... the same configuration as their side. A sharp glint flashed through Narong's eyes. Since war was approaching, there was no need to hold back. They had to end this quickly and deliver a show of force.

"Captain, what do we do?" Aburame Ryoma asked.

Asuma was itching to try. "Captain, let's take them out!"

Narong made his decision at once. "We can't let them pass. Ryoma, use your bugs to disrupt that chunin's sensing and hand seals. Asuma, Kurenai, you two handle the genin on the left. Focus on holding him back. I'll have my Shadow Clone assist and protect you. The genin on the right and that chunin are mine. End it quickly!"

"Move!"

Narong formed seals in an instant!

"Shadow Clone Technique!"

A Shadow Clone appeared and guarded Asuma and Kurenai.

Narong's main body shot out like an arrow loosed from the string, charging straight toward the Hidden Stone genin on the right and the chunin! At the same time, scarlet light flared in his eyes, and the Two-Tomoe Sharingan opened instantly! Powerful ocular force locked onto the targets.

The Hidden Stone chunin reacted quickly. "Enemy attack! Earth Release: Earth-Flow Spears!" Stone spikes jutted up from the ground.

But under the dynamic vision of the Two-Tomoe Sharingan, the trajectories of the stone spikes were clearly visible. Narong's figure moved like a ghost, easily avoiding every attack without slowing in the slightest!

"So fast!" The Hidden Stone chunin was shocked.

"Fire Release: Phoenix Flower Claw Red!" Narong did not stop for an instant. He formed seals, and multiple fireballs wrapped around shuriken shot toward the two like a storm, covering an extremely wide area and forcing them to scatter and dodge.

Seizing this chance, Narong's target was clear. He went straight for that Hidden Stone genin!

"Body Flicker Technique!"

His figure flashed, and he was already behind the panicked genin. His kunai traced a cold gleam toward the back of the opponent's neck. He did not even use ninjutsu. Relying only on the opening perceived by the Sharingan and taijutsu speed far beyond an ordinary chunin's, he took the opponent out of the fight in a single strike.

The entire process took less than two seconds!

"Bastard!" The Hidden Stone chunin was both shocked and furious. Seeing his subordinate taken down instantly, he roared and formed seals. "Earth Release: Rock Fist Technique!" His fist became covered in stone as he smashed it toward Narong.

Narong snorted coldly. Without dodging or retreating, his hands formed seals even faster!

"Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation!"

A vast blaze like surging ocean waves erupted in an instant. It not only swallowed the opponent's rock fist, but also surged toward the Hidden Stone chunin with overwhelming force! This was an extremely wide-range, powerful B-rank fire release!

The Hidden Stone chunin's expression changed drastically, and in his haste, he could only defend with everything he had. "Earth Release: Earth-Flow Wall!" A thick earthen wall rose up.

Boom! Under the impact of Great Fire Annihilation, the earthen wall shook violently and cracks appeared across it. The scorching heat wave made it difficult for the Hidden Stone chunin to breathe.

However, before he could catch his breath, Narong's follow-up attack arrived!

"Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!"

A powerful current of air swept up shattered stones from the ground, disrupting visibility.

Immediately after!

"Composite Ninja Art: Blazing Breakthrough!"

The wind fed the flames, and a fire tornado, more condensed and hotter than Great Fire Annihilation, roared forward and smashed through the tottering Earth-Flow Wall!

"No—!" The Hidden Stone chunin was swallowed by the flames and let out a shrill scream, falling to the ground with severe injuries.

On the other side, with the interference of Aburame Ryoma's insect swarm and the assistance of Narong's Shadow Clone, Asuma and Kurenai Yuhi also successfully suppressed and captured the other Hidden Stone genin. Asuma's Fire Release: Ash Pile Burning and Kurenai Yuhi's genjutsu harassment were still immature, but with their absolute advantage in coordination, they completed their task as well.

From beginning to end, the battle lasted less than two minutes. The Hidden Stone squad was completely wiped out.

Asuma and Kurenai Yuhi stared at the devastated battlefield, then at Narong, who had ended the battle so easily with the two tomoe slowly rotating in his eyes. They were so shocked they could not speak. This was their first time seeing such a sharp, efficient battle. The immense strength that Captain Uchiha Narong displayed far exceeded their imagination.

Aburame Ryoma looked deeply at Narong through his sunglasses, his heart equally shaken. This disciple of Lord Orochimaru was probably already close to jonin level in strength.

"Clean the battlefield, gather intelligence, and withdraw quickly. Ryoma, bring this Stone ninja back. Don't let him die. We'll get some information out of him." Narong gave the order calmly, as if what he had just done was nothing worth mentioning. The Two-Tomoe Sharingan slowly faded away.

After this battle, the atmosphere in the team changed completely. The defiance in Asuma's eyes became awe, and Kurenai Yuhi was filled with admiration. They had truly witnessed the strength of a top ninja, and they also understood the cruelty of border missions.

The patrol mission continued, but the rest of the journey was exceptionally smooth. Perhaps intimidated by the thunderous methods Narong's squad had displayed, they did not encounter any other enemies.