The mountain wind howled, sweeping across the rocks on both sides of the canyon with a sound like the low growl of a beast.
The convoy slowly entered A Line of Sky.
Kageyama, the Jonin captain leading the escort, frowned. He pulled his forehead protector lower to block some of the harsh sunlight and swept his gaze around. He was an experienced veteran who had spent years patrolling the border of the Land of Hot Water, remaining alert to every irregularity on the battlefield.
Something in the air felt wrong, but he could not put his finger on it.
Was it because I drank too much yesterday?
Kageyama rubbed his brow and raised a hand, signaling the convoy to stop.
"Everyone, stay sharp, don't—"
Before he could finish, a current suddenly surged from the ground beneath them. The puddle Hozuki Suigetsu had transformed into silently extended several transparent water whips, which coiled around the ankles of two guards at the rear like venomous snakes.
"Ah—"
The two guards only had time to let out brief cries before the water whips violently yanked them away. Their bodies instantly lost balance and were dragged straight into the puddle. Ripples spread across its surface before it returned to stillness, as though the two men had never existed.
The sudden turn of events threw the convoy into chaos.
"Enemy attack!" Kageyama shouted.
At the same moment, a cold command was clearly relayed through earpieces to every Konoha ninja disguised as a bandit.
"Begin."
Sasuke knelt on one knee behind a boulder. Through the Sharingan's vision, he precisely locked onto a target with every passing instant. The custom Bolter in his hands let out a low roar. There was none of the usual sound of ninja tools, only the dull clack of metal and the