Ize Returns to the Village

"Stop the bleeding!" Fugaku shouted. "An enemy dared attack a Konoha unit in broad daylight and gravely wound a Konoha Elder. To think such brazen enemies exist in the Land of Fire.

"Once I find out which faction they belong to, I'll visit their Ninja Village and make sure they repay what they owe Konoha.

"Elder Ize, go back and focus on recovering. Yūhi Shenhong and I will get to the bottom of this. We'll find Senior Yūhi Eikō, dead or alive."

Elder Ize gave Fugaku a complicated look. "I'm sorry to leave this to you. The enemy is powerful, so be careful. I never expected to be wounded so badly before the operation even began.

"Watch yourselves. The enemy showed no mercy and struck with chilling killing intent. I fear Yūhi Eikō may not have survived."

"Don't worry, Elder Ize."

Yūhi Shenhong returned from ahead. "I couldn't find a trace of the enemy. They fled too quickly. How are you, Elder Ize?"

"I won't die just yet," Ize said, his face pale. "But the rest is up to you. I need to return to Konoha to recover."

Two Medical Ninja lifted Elder Ize, and Fugaku assigned a three-ninja team to escort him.

"Keep moving. Aburame Clan members, release your Kikaichū and spread them in every direction from the center of the unit. Don't overlook anything that might be an enemy trace.

"Hyuga shinobi, take turns activating your Byakugan. Uchiha shinobi, take turns activating your Sharingan. Watch our surroundings closely, especially the sky and the ground.

"Report any sign of the enemy immediately. Now move out."

The formation changed at once. Swarms of insects rose into the air and spread outward, searching every corner of the surrounding area.

The unit advanced quickly without encountering a single enemy. The shinobi began