The Beginning of the Mission

Chapter 42

Just as Captain Jing Liang had predicted, the Hidden Sand Village's higher-ups clearly gave this hastily assembled "Sandstorm" squad no time to adjust to one another. With the shadow of war drawing near, every available fighting force was urgently needed at strained defensive lines and within reconnaissance networks.

Almost the moment they stepped out of the mission hall, they received their first order—head to the northeastern border of the Land of Wind, patrol a stretch of border roughly fifty kilometers long, investigate any suspicious signs of activity, and eliminate any enemy scouts who might be present.

There was no pre-battle mobilization, no tactical meeting—only a rough map and one cold command: "Depart immediately. Report intelligence in real time."

Jing Liang's expression darkened. He was clearly dissatisfied with such a rushed arrangement as well, but military orders were absolute. "Stay with me and remain alert! Xu, take the center and watch the surroundings with your senses! Lukado, left flank! Shaye, right flank—use your puppets to expand our scouting range! Maintain silence during the operation!" He issued the orders swiftly, then shot forward like an arrow released from its bow.

Xu answered nervously and tried her best to focus on sensing the area. Lukado snorted, seemingly displeased that Jing Liang had so readily acknowledged Shaye's Puppet Technique, but he still quickly followed. Shaye, meanwhile, said nothing and rapidly formed hand seals.

With a soft poof, an improved Spider puppet appeared on his shoulder. It immediately slipped soundlessly into a nearby crack in the rocks, swiftly scouting ahead and along the flanks.

The mission had begun amid haste and unfamiliarity.

The initial journey was dull and oppressive. The four maintained a combat formation as they sped through barren Gobi wastelands and rocky mountains. Aside from the howling wind and their footsteps, almost no one spoke. Jing Liang's commands were concise and effective, always allowing them to avoid difficult terrain or potential ambush points in advance, revealing his extensive wilderness experience. Though Xu's sensory abilities were still immature, she detected distant packs of sand wolves several times ahead of time, preventing unnecessary disturbances. Lukado's Earth Release also proved useful when they crossed a cliff, quickly creating temporary footholds.

As for Shaye, he soon made Jing Liang withdraw that initial trace of disdain.

His Spider puppet was like a tireless ghostly sentry, always sending back clear terrain information and safety signals from hundreds of meters ahead of the squad, greatly easing Jing Liang's scouting burden. Once, the Spider even discovered an exceptionally well-hidden explosive tag trap in advance. Without its warning, the squad might very well have suffered casualties.

Along the way, they encountered a small group of rogue ninja attempting to infiltrate the border, most likely disposable pawns hired by another country. The battle erupted without warning.

Jing Liang growled, "Move! End this quickly!" Wind Release: Vacuum Sphere flew from his hand in an instant, accurately suppressing the enemy leader.

Lukado reacted a little slower, but he immediately formed hand seals as well. "Earth Release: Earth-Style Stone Spear!" Several sharp stone spears burst from the ground, forcing back the enemies on the left.

Xu, however, appeared flustered, and her kunai throw missed its mark.

At that moment, a rogue ninja silently sprang out from the shadows of the rocks behind and to the side, targeting Xu, who seemed to be the weakest!

"Watch out!" Shaye's calm voice rang out.

Almost simultaneously, the ground beneath the rogue ninja's feet suddenly turned into thick mud—the localized application of Earth Release: Headhunter Jutsu—causing him to stagger. The next instant, Shaye had closed in like a ghost, a highly compressed whirlwind gathering at his fingertips. Wind Release: Fierce Wind Palm struck precisely beneath the man's ribs!

Crack! The distinct sound of bones breaking rang out as the ninja screamed and flew backward, losing his ability to fight.

The battle ended quickly. Jing Liang glanced at the enemy Shaye had instantly crushed, then at Shaye's calm, unreadable face. For the first time, genuine surprise appeared in his eyes. This kid was fast and ruthless, his tactical choices excellent. The way he used combined releases was nothing like that of a Genin!

What surprised him even more came afterward. As they cleared the battlefield, Lukado's arm was cut by a kunai, leaving a moderately deep wound that continued to bleed.

"Don't move." Shaye crouched down, soft green chakra light glowing from his hands as he used the Healing Technique to carefully clean Lukado's wound, stop the bleeding, and speed up its healing. Though it could not heal the injury instantly, the treatment was professional and efficient.

Lukado looked at Shaye, much of the arrogance fading from his face, and awkwardly said, "...Thanks."

Jing Liang completely cast aside his prejudice against someone with connections. This Shaye was practically a monster! Reconnaissance, combat, medical treatment... he had almost no weaknesses! The calmness, decisiveness, and overall ability he displayed were no worse than those of some veteran Special Jonin! His deep chakra reserves had also become unmistakable after the long-distance sprint and repeated use of jutsu.

Over the following days, missions came one after another. Patrols, reconnaissance, clearing infiltrators, escorting classified intelligence... the Sandstorm squad raced back and forth along the Land of Wind's long border like a firefighting crew.

Shaye thrived under the baptism of such intense real combat. He freely put the theoretical knowledge he had accumulated over the past few years into practice:

He skillfully used all kinds of D-rank and C-rank Wind Release and Earth Release techniques for battlefield control, defense, and attack.

Once, while covering a retreat, he even used the B-rank Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall, raising a sturdy barrier that blocked the pursuing enemies' fierce assault.

His Puppet Technique shone even more brightly. The Spider handled reconnaissance, while the Big Spider served as a short-range transport and assault vehicle, repeatedly achieving remarkable results.

His Medical Ninjutsu also saved injured teammates in time on several occasions.

During one especially desperate moment, he even instinctively drew upon a trace of Magnet Release, disrupting the enemy ninja's control over their ninja tools and creating an opportunity to turn the tables, though no one clearly saw the anomaly in that instant.

He accumulated precious mission experience at an astonishing rate, rapidly transforming from a theoretical genius into a true combat ninja. Captain Jing Liang's attitude gradually shifted from simply commanding him to trusting and relying on him. Xu was full of gratitude and admiration for him. Even the proud Lukado had no choice but to admit that Shaye's strength far surpassed his own.

Through solid, undeniable results, Shaye was establishing his indispensable position within this temporary squad. The furnace of war was tempering this blade, already drawn from its sheath, at the fastest possible speed.

(End of Chapter)