On the outskirts of Black Forest Fortress in the Land of Grass.
A fifty-man patrol was moving through the dense forest.
They wore uniform gray canvas uniforms, with a crude emblem sewn onto their chests—a hammer crossed with a rifle.
Leading them was a young man in his early twenties. His face still retained a trace of youthful innocence, but his eyes were wary.
"Stop."
The young man raised a fist.
The team immediately halted.
"There are chakra signatures ahead."
A scrawny boy in the group closed his eyes, fine beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
He was one of the few sensory-type ninjas among the refugees. Though he was only at Genin level, that was enough in this terrain.
"How many?"
"Three... no, four."
The boy opened his eyes, his face slightly pale.
"Their chakra levels aren't high. They should be Chunin-level."
The young man frowned.
After Iwagakure retreated, the situation in the Land of Grass had not calmed down.
The Royal Guard sent by Daimyo Kusachiyo came every few days to "exterminate bandits."
"Prepare for battle."
The young man lowered his voice.
The team swiftly spread out. Some took cover, some raised Defender rifles, and several pulled out the "surprises" provided by Konoha—anti-ninja mines.
Three minutes later.
Four ninjas in Land of Grass Royal Guard uniforms leaped out of the woods.
Their movements were casual. Clearly, they did not take the "bandits" in this area seriously.
"Is this the place?"
The leading Chunin had a blade of grass between his teeth, his tone lazy.
"The intelligence said there's a group of refugees nearby carrying Konoha weapons?"
"Yes, Captain."
A Genin beside him nodded.
"The daimyo issued a strict order. We have to wipe them out within three days."
"Tch, they're just a bunch of peasants."
The Chunin