Geomagnetic Navigation, Flying Bugs Prove Their Worth

What now?

They had already found the enemy, yet they could not gather any intelligence. Hyuga Satoru's anxiety grew.

His Byakugan could indeed make out the general situation at the stronghold, but it was too far away. He could only see the rough deployment of personnel and the flow of chakra.

What had that mysterious Jonin discussed after returning? What force did they belong to? What was their objective? He knew none of it.

After pondering for a while, Hyuga Satoru could not help speaking up.

"Teacher Shibi, my Byakugan can roughly see the situation at the stronghold. They have a large number of ninja, far stronger than the Hidden Stone Village squad in the capital. If we do not find out their purpose, this mission may fail."

"I understand." Aburame Shibi gave a bitter smile. "But under the current circumstances, if we approach recklessly, we will likely be surrounded and attacked by their ninja."

Hyuga Satoru's gaze flickered. Judging from his Byakugan's field of vision, the sensory barrier covered a radius of three kilometers. The moment they entered that range, they would be discovered.

"Teacher Shibi, can you send Destruction Bugs in to gather intelligence?"

"No." Aburame Shibi shook his head. "I already tried just now. It is too far away. The maximum range at which I can control my Destruction Bugs is two kilometers. Beyond that range, they lose their bearings because my commands can no longer reach them."

So that was it...

Hyuga Satoru frowned deeply. The Destruction Bugs could only be controlled within two kilometers; during the final kilometer, they would lose their direction once they stopped receiving commands?

Wait!

In other words, if there were a way to relay commands over that final kilometer, could they control the Destruction Bugs to gather intelligence?

After thinking for a while, Hyuga Satoru's eyes gradually lit up.

"Teacher Shibi, without considering whether they can return, can you imprint the command to fly three kilometers away and gather intelligence into the Destruction Bugs' consciousness?"

Aburame Shibi considered it, then said, "If it is merely implanting a command, I can do that. But once they go beyond two kilometers, I will lose control of the Destruction Bugs. After that, everything will be left to fate."

Hyuga Satoru drew a deep breath. "Then please quickly select a few sturdy Destruction Bugs, Teacher. I have an idea."

"What idea?" Aburame Shibi looked at him in surprise.

"It is very complicated to explain. Please pick out the Destruction Bugs first, Teacher."

Aburame Shibi nodded and extended his left hand. Several black insects crawled from his sleeve onto his fingertips.

Hyuga Satoru took out two kunai and rubbed them together several times, grinding off some metal particles. He pinched a small amount between his fingers and placed them onto the Destruction Bugs' backs.

He chose the spots carefully, securing the particles firmly to the insects' bodies without interfering with their flight.

After finishing, Hyuga Satoru looked at Aburame Shibi. "Teacher, now imprint the command to gather intelligence into the Destruction Bugs' consciousness."

"Fine." Aburame Shibi answered helplessly. Though he did not know what Hyuga Satoru was planning, all he could do now was trust him.

Having received their commands, the Destruction Bugs wobbled into the air and vanished into the depths of the forest.

After a while, Aburame Shibi sighed.

"I have lost control of the Destruction Bugs."

Hyuga Satoru said nothing, his sharp gaze fixed ahead.

Time trickled by bit by bit, and the atmosphere gradually became stifling. The air seemed to turn into heavy water, slowing even their breathing.

Aburame Shibi's eyes went from initial anticipation, to concern, and finally to disappointment.

So much time had already passed. The Destruction Bugs that had lost their commands had likely become lost. There was no way they could bring back any intelligence.

The reason he had not suggested leaving was that he did not want to discourage Hyuga Satoru. His student was so full of confidence that he found it hard to refuse him.

After all, no one understood Destruction Bugs better than the Aburame Clan. Their two-kilometer limit was a fatal weakness that could not be changed.

With that thought, Aburame Shibi's heart gradually grew heavy.

Just then, he seemed to sense something and abruptly raised his head.

Before long, several tiny black insects came wobbling back toward them.

"It actually worked?"

Aburame Shibi's mouth fell open in shock.

Beside him, the corners of Hyuga Satoru's mouth curled upward slightly.

The iron filings he had placed on the Destruction Bugs earlier were used for magnetic-pole navigation.

In his previous life, he had often heard that before an earthquake struck somewhere, massive numbers of birds and insects could be seen migrating. This was because birds and insects were highly sensitive to changes in Earth's magnetic field.

Some flying insects even used magnetic substances in their bodies to navigate by Earth's magnetic field during migration!

While Hyuga Satoru had no way to alter Earth's magnetic field, he could simulate certain changes in it at his own location, then use the magnetic material placed on the Destruction Bugs to guide them.

It was a biological instinct imprinted in insect DNA through tens of millions of years of natural evolution!

At the same time, Aburame Shibi absorbed the intelligence relayed by the Destruction Bugs, and a sharp glint flashed through his eyes!

"So that's how it is!"

Two days later, outside the black market.

A Hidden Stone Village ninja in disguise wrapped a scroll inside his clothes. After checking his surroundings, he walked to the front of an inn.

"Lord Yamato, the supplies have been secured."

"Good." The Jonin named Yamato spoke approvingly.

"With such a large share of supplies, Lord Tsuchikage will surely reward us handsomely once we return. Prepare to head back. We have stayed in this godforsaken Land of Iron for so long that my body is about to rust."

The seven-man squad began heading out of the capital.

In the forest, everyone was in high spirits.

"Who do you think the seller was, to dump such a huge share of supplies and let us pick up such a bargain?"

"Yeah. We only planned to buy some iron tools in the Land of Iron, yet we unexpectedly stumbled upon such a huge haul.

"Hahaha." One Hidden Stone Village ninja laughed. "Too bad the identities of both parties in black-market deals are kept secret. Otherwise, we would really have to thank them properly this time."

However, the moment his words fell, a shrill whistle cut through the air. The Hidden Stone Village ninja's expression instantly froze. His mouth hung open as though his throat had been sliced by a sharp weapon, blood spraying everywhere.

The ninja's throat bobbed as scarlet foam continuously spilled from his mouth. He collapsed straight down, powerless.

Seeing his companion die so miserably before his eyes, Yamato's eyes nearly split with rage as he howled with all his strength.

"Enemy attack!!!"

The instant his words ended, several figures flashed in with a series of whooshes, completely surrounding the Hidden Stone Village squad. The man at the front spoke coldly.

"There is no need for thanks. If you really want to thank us, just leave your lives behind."

"Who exactly are you people?" Yamato's eyes were bloodshot as he forced the words through clenched teeth.

"The dead do not need to know that much."

The red-haired man at the front swept out his hand. A vast sheet of gold dust surged forward like a golden tidal wave.

Yamato's pupils shrank.

"Magnet Release? You are from Sunagakure!"

After using Earth Release to block the wave of gold dust, Yamato cursed furiously.

"Is Sunagakure trying to start a war with the Hidden Stone Village? How dare you ambush and kill us midway? If Lord Tsuchikage learns of this, have you considered the consequences?"

"Consequences? If all of you die here, what consequences could there be?"

"Scorch Release! Vapor Kill!"

It was not Rasa who spoke, but a lightly dressed female ninja behind him. With a wave of her hand, an orange-red fireball shot toward a Hidden Stone Village ninja fending off the Sand Village ninja. Amid a piercing scream, the moisture in his body instantly evaporated, leaving him in a miserable, mummy-like state.

Yamato's heart sank. Magnet Release Rasa, Scorch Release Pakura... Sunagakure had actually sent two bloodline-limit ninja. This time, they were truly in grave danger...

Meanwhile, one kilometer away from where the battle had broken out, two figures hid among the treetops, silently observing.