Ninjas of the Hidden Mist Village

The Third Ninja War had not yet begun, but ninjas from various villages had already appeared around Konoha. This was to say nothing of the small countries bordering the village, which had been largely invaded and controlled by the major powers.

As the hegemon of this region, Konoha would not sit idly by and watch enemies erode its sphere of influence.

While Konoha was still exercising restraint to avoid war, friction was constant.

Many ninjas sensed the precursors to the Third Ninja War; a single small spark could ignite the entire Shinobi World.

The mission Orochimaru assigned them was simple: patrol the area surrounding Konoha.

This was also their first mission outside the village.

Unlike typical teams, Orochimaru did not accompany them. Konoha's current situation did not allow Orochimaru to spend too much time on the three of them.

Consequently, there was no team leader this time, which posed significant danger to the trio. One should not assume that patrolling within Konoha's borders was free of risk.

"Master Orochimaru is really confident in our patrolling, isn't he?"

Muzan needed to lead his teammates. His abilities leaned toward the comprehensive; in terms of sensory perception, he could detect even the slightest scent carried on a breeze. As for Mari, she was also an excellent sensory ninja.

Her abilities did not focus on sight or smell, but on hearing.

Mari could sense slight vibrations in the ground to determine the direction of enemies, a skill that proved most effective in the dense forest.

Bored, Anko sat on a tree branch, eating dango to replenish her energy. If it weren't for the lack of a bed in the forest, she could have fallen asleep right then and there.

"I'm starving. As I thought, the front lines aren't as wonderful as they say. Who knows how long it will take to become a titled ninja? I want to go to the battlefield to kill enemies, not lie here watching birds!"

Go to the battlefield to kill enemies?

Muzan smiled helplessly. Genin would certainly end up on the battlefield, but as for killing enemies? They would be lucky not to end up as cannon fodder.

The brutality of the Third Ninja War exceeded imagination. Every village was involved, and with Madara Uchiha pulling strings from the shadows, the world was in turmoil.

That was not to mention the newly formed Akatsuki, which was widely recruiting rogue ninjas from all the major villages.

And, of course, the terrifying power of using Tailed Beasts as weapons of mass destruction!

"Take a brother's advice: the water is very deep, and you can't handle it, Anko. Let me be the one to achieve fame for you."

"You jerk, Muzan!"

She threw her bamboo skewer directly at Muzan's black robe. Anko intended to continue lecturing him, but suddenly sensed a shift in Muzan's demeanor.

"You wouldn't be that petty, would you? I didn't mean to—"

A pair of scarlet eyes stared into the distant forest. Beside him, Mari immediately grabbed Anko and pulled her behind a large tree.

Both of them discovered the figures at almost the same time.

Only then did Anko realize that the enemy had appeared!

"Stay low and don't make a sound."

Because they were downwind, Muzan caught a whiff of a complex scent.

Mari utilized her advantage, pressing her ear to the ground to listen quietly to the vibrations. She whispered a warning to the two of them:

"There are three people not far away. They are approaching rapidly. It is highly likely they are enemy ninjas."

"They aren't our people."

The scent was different. Their bodies carried an unnatural smell of seafood. Although the Land of Fire had parts bordering the ocean, Hidden Leaf Village was located in the central region, and there were no ninjas there who smelled of seafood.

"They are from the Hidden Mist Village!"

The Hidden Mist Village, the Land of the Blood Moon, was the most ruthless of all the major villages. The current era was still that of Yagura Karatachi.

"Great! Our chance to make a name for ourselves has arrived!"

Anko had long since grown tired of the patrol mission. Being able to take down enemy ninjas now would be worth more than a B-rank mission.

"Don't be rash! Charging in without knowing the situation is a death wish."

"Mari, pinpoint their exact location. Tell me once they are within range."

The three leaned against the tree. Fortunately, they were in the shadows and had a sensory ninja to detect the enemy's position in advance. However, since these were Hidden Mist ninjas, their combat experience was likely superior to that of Mari and the others. If a conflict broke out, he would have to take the lead.

Baishi Haoji moved through the forest. He was the leader of this mission and a Chunin. He heard the newcomers in his squad marveling at Konoha's prosperity.

"So this is Konoha. It truly is the wealthiest of the Five Great Shinobi Villages. However, mapping this area is not going to be a simple task."

With high-quality land resources and ports partially bordering the Land of Rivers, the geographical location was truly gifted.

In contrast, the Land of Water was a region composed of islands. The Hidden Mist Village, established there, was limited by its geography, and its development had always lagged behind Konoha.

"Do not be careless! This area belongs to Konoha. We could encounter their ninjas at any moment. If you cause this mission to fail, I will kill you myself!"

This was the rule of the Hidden Mist Village: the mission was everything. Ninjas were tools that did not require emotional attachments.

"Yes! Lord Baishi!"

To attack Konoha more effectively, the Hidden Mist Village had sent out a large number of squads in advance to scout the surroundings.

They had already had several clashes with Konoha. Fortunately, these were small-scale skirmishes, and both sides had exercised restraint, not yet deploying their true trump cards.

He remembered that the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of that generation had infiltrated Konoha Forest, only to encounter Dai, which resulted in the Seven Ninja Swordsmen becoming the "Lucky Trio"—some dead, some wounded.

"A ninja squad consisting of one Chunin and two Genin."

In the darkness, blood-red eyes took note of three figures, a hint of cruelty lingering in Muzan's gaze.

"The Chunin is my responsibility. Once I finish them off, I will come to support you as soon as possible. Remember, you must resolve your targets quickly!"

He could not rule out the possibility that Hidden Mist Village ninjas were nearby in the Konoha Forest; he had to end this battle swiftly!

The moment Muzan moved, Baishi Haoji sensed the danger immediately.

"Who goes there!"

"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"

Several black, venomous snakes extended from the black robe, attempting to constrict and strangle Baishi Haoji.

"Clack!"

Three kunai pinned themselves into different areas, nailing the lunging snakes to the ground, but one serpent still managed to strike Baishi Haoji's ankle.

"Ah!"

Fangs sank into muscle, and a sharp, stinging pain radiated from his ankle throughout his entire body. Only then did Baishi Haoji see the black-robed Muzan emerge.

"Orochimaru! No, wait, is it one of Orochimaru's disciples?"

If the enemy were Orochimaru, there would be no need for a sneak attack. Although he could not see the opponent's face, judging by the physique, it was just a child, at most the level of a Genin.

Two more figures emerged from behind a large tree and engaged his subordinates; it appeared they had encountered a Konoha ninja squad.

"I didn't expect it to be one of Orochimaru's disciples. Even if the mission fails and I die here, as long as I can kill you, it will be worth it!"