Geomagnetic Orientation, Flying Bugs Do Their Part

What should they do?

They'd already found the enemy, yet they couldn't gather any intelligence. Hyuga Satoru was growing anxious.

His Byakugan could indeed make out the general situation at the base, 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 faction did they belong to? What was their goal? They knew nothing.

After pondering for a moment, Hyuga Satoru couldn't help speaking up.

"Teacher Shibi, my Byakugan can roughly see the situation at their base. They have a lot of ninja, far stronger than the Iwa Ninja squad in the capital. If we don't find out their purpose, this mission will probably fail."

"I understand." Aburame Shibi gave a bitter smile. "But under the current circumstances, if we approach rashly, we'll likely be surrounded by their ninja."

Hyuga Satoru's eyes flickered. Based on what he could see with his Byakugan, the Perception Barrier covered a radius of three kilometers. The moment they entered that range, the enemy would discover them.

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

"No." Aburame Shibi shook his head. "I already tried. It's too far. The maximum range at which I can control my Parasitic Destruction Bugs is two kilometers. Beyond that, they lose their sense of direction because my commands can't reach them."

So that was it...

Hyuga Satoru furrowed his brows. The Parasitic Destruction Bugs could only be controlled within two kilometers. During that final kilometer, would they lose their way without orders?

Wait!

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

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

"Teacher Shibi, if we don't consider the return trip, can you embed the command to fly three kilometers away and gather intelligence into the Parasitic Destruction Bugs' consciousness?"

Aburame Shibi thought for a moment. "If it's only a simple implanted command, then yes. But once they go beyond two kilometers, I'll lose control of them. By then, it'll be up to fate."

Hyuga Satoru took a deep breath. "Then quickly pick out a few strong Parasitic Destruction Bugs, Teacher. I have a way."

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

"It's very complicated to explain. Please pick out the Parasitic 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 scraped them together a few times, grinding off some metal particles. He pinched up a small amount and placed them on the backs of the Parasitic Destruction Bugs.

He chose the spots carefully. The particles would remain firmly attached to the insects without interfering with their flight.

After finishing all this, Hyuga Satoru looked at Aburame Shibi. "Teacher, now embed the command to gather intelligence in their consciousness."

"Fine." Aburame Shibi answered helplessly. Though he had no idea what Hyuga Satoru was planning, all he could do now was trust him.

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

After a while, Aburame Shibi sighed.

"I've lost control of the Parasitic Destruction Bugs."

Hyuga Satoru said nothing, his gaze fixed intently ahead.

Time passed bit by bit. The atmosphere gradually grew oppressive, and the air seemed to turn into heavy water, slowing even their breathing.

Aburame Shibi's eyes went from anticipation at first, to concern later, and now to disappointment.

So much time had already passed. The Parasitic Destruction Bugs must have lost their way after losing their commands. There was no way they could bring the intelligence back.

The reason he hadn't suggested returning was because he didn't want to discourage Hyuga Satoru. His student was so confident that he couldn't bring himself to refuse.

When it came down to it, no one understood Parasitic Destruction Bugs better than the Aburame Clan. Their two-kilometer limit was an unchangeable fatal weakness.

With that thought, Aburame Shibi's heart gradually sank.

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

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

"It actually worked?"

Aburame Shibi's mouth fell open in shock.

Beside him, Hyuga Satoru's lips curved slightly upward.

The iron filings he had placed on the Parasitic Destruction Bugs were for geomagnetic orientation.

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

Some flying insects even used the magnetic substances in their bodies for geomagnetic orientation during migration!

Hyuga Satoru couldn't alter Earth's magnetic field, but he could simulate changes in it around his own position, then use the magnetic materials on the Parasitic Destruction Bugs to guide them.

This was a biological instinct etched into insect DNA through tens of millions of years of natural evolution!

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

"So that's how it is!"

Two days later, outside the Black Market.

An Iwa Ninja in disguise wrapped a scroll inside his clothes. After checking his surroundings, he walked to the front of an inn.

"Lord Yamato, we've secured the supplies."

"Very good." The Jonin named Yamato spoke approvingly.

"With such a large share of supplies, Lord Tsuchikage will surely reward us handsomely when we return. Prepare to head back. We've 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 was the seller who actually dumped such a huge share of supplies and let us pick up such a bargain?"

"Yeah, we originally only planned to buy some iron tools in the Land of Iron. Who would've thought we'd stumble upon such a huge haul?"

"Hahaha." One Iwa Ninja laughed. "Too bad the identities of both parties in Black Market transactions are confidential. Otherwise, we'd have to properly thank them this time."

However, the moment he finished speaking, a sharp whistling sound tore through the air. The Iwa Ninja's expression instantly froze, his mouth hanging open as though his throat had been sliced by a sharp blade. Blood sprayed everywhere.

His throat bobbed once, crimson foam continuously spilling from his mouth as he collapsed stiffly and helplessly to the ground.

Seeing his companion die so miserably before his eyes, Yamato's eyes split with rage as he screamed with all his might.

"Enemy attack!!!"

The instant his words fell, several figures flashed in with a series of whooshes and surrounded the Iwa Ninja squad. The leader spoke coldly.

"You don't need to thank us. If you truly want to, just leave your lives behind."

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

"Dead men don't need to know that much."

The red-haired man at the front waved a hand. Countless particles of Gold Dust surged forward like a golden tide.

Yamato's pupils contracted.

"Magnet Release? You're from the Sand Village!"

After using Earth Release to block the Gold Dust Great Wave, Yamato cursed furiously.

"Does the Sand Village want to start a war with the Hidden Stone Village? How dare you ambush and kill us halfway through? If Lord Tsuchikage learns of this, have you considered the consequences?"

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

"Scorch Release: Extremely Steam Murder!"

The speaker wasn't Rasa, but a lightly dressed female ninja in the rear. With a wave of her hand, an orange-red fireball swept toward an Iwa Ninja fending off the Sand Ninja. Amid a shrill scream, all the moisture in his body instantly evaporated, leaving him in a mummy-like state.

Yamato's heart sank. Rasa of the Magnet Release, Pakura of the Scorch Release... The Sand Village had actually sent two Bloodline Limit ninja. It seemed they were truly doomed this time...

At the same time, a kilometer away from the battle, two figures hid among the branches of a towering tree, silently watching.