In Konoha: Three Choices at the Start

Chakra: 52.3 units

Ninjutsu: Rasengan, Multiple Shadow Clones, Body Flicker Technique...

Taijutsu: Master-level swordsmanship, Kunai Throwing...

Genjutsu: Hell Viewing Technique, Tree Binding Death...

Bloodline: Uchiha Bloodline, Three-Tomoe Sharingan, Ice-Ice Fruit ability

Overall combat strength: Junior Kage Level

Inventory: Secret Room Douluo Deluxe Edition (severely damaged), Old Wang the Gatekeeper (lightly worn), Underground Teacher series (10 volumes, severely worn)...

This was Liuyun's current status panel. For the past month, after completing his daily assigned tasks,

he had spent the rest of his time developing Ice Release, Genjutsu, and his Mangekyō Sharingan.

Setting Ice Release and Genjutsu aside, he could already use Susanoo's third form with ease.

He had also developed his right eye's Ice Release amplification to double its original power!

When he used Ice Release with his right Mangekyō, its power multiplied.

The only pity was that he still hadn't perfected his illusion realm. Something was always missing from its first layer.

"Liuyun, are you all right?"

Mikoto's worried voice pulled Liuyun back to reality.

"I'm fine!" He had just been thinking.

Seeing that Liuyun was ignoring him, Nawaki turned to chat with his friend Shimura Youzheng.

Liuyun had nothing to say to Nawaki. Did that kid have no brains at all?

Chatting while the unit was on the move? Had he forgotten everything he'd learned at the Ninja Academy?

Then again, perhaps it was because they were still within Konoha's territory.

That night, Aoto Iseki assigned people to patrol in shifts.

Liuyun held Mikoto close and fell asleep against a tree.

The day's hard travel had barely affected Liuyun, but his little sweetheart Mikoto was struggling.

Before long, she was fast asleep.

The next day, the group continued on. At their pace, the journey from Konoha to the border would take at least four or five days.

Three days later, Liuyun frowned as they hurried along, his young face turning grave.

He sensed powerful Chakra fluctuations not far ahead.

(Please send flowers! Flowers! Come on, you generous folks, spare a few! Sob!)

Chapter 54: Sand Ninja Ambush, Ebizo! (Fourth Update!)

There were four Elite Jonin alone, plus seven who were slightly weaker. Fifteen people in all!

Four Elite Jonin, seven Jonin, and four Elite Chunin. They've brought quite a force!

Are they planning to wipe us all out before we can react?

"Everyone, stay sharp! We're almost at the front line. Keep your guard up! You can rest when we get there!"

A Chunin shouted the warning.

On a shaded branch, more than a dozen figures crouched, sat, or stood, their expressionless faces turned toward the forest below.

They wore Sand Ninja Forehead Protectors. A man in his prime led them.

"Lord Ebizo! I've sensed them. The intelligence was correct—many ninja are coming our way!" the Sand Ninja sensor reported without expression.

"Not bad. It really is Konoha's grain convoy!" Ebizo raised an eyebrow. "Do you have their numbers?"

"About thirty. Only five have any real strength: one Jonin and four Chunin."

"One Jonin? Four Chunin?" Ebizo could hardly believe his ears.

He scoffed. "Is Hiruzen Sarutobi an idiot? With that many people and a shipment of provisions, he sent only one Jonin? Not even an Elite Jonin?"

"Check again. I don't believe Hiruzen Sarutobi sent just one Jonin as an escort. He must have someone else hidden nearby!"

"Yes!" The sensor nodded.

A moment later, he returned to Ebizo with a strange look and said quietly,

"Lord Ebizo, I've checked at least three times. There really is only one Jonin and four Chunin!"

"Then we'll take them all out at once! Our squad was only just formed. They'll make a fine first demonstration!"

A bloodthirsty smile appeared on Ebizo's face.

"On my command, wait until every Konoha ninja is within attack range before striking!"

"Understood!"

The Sand Ninja sneered. To them, Liuyun and the others were already helpless prey.

Moments later, a group of tense-faced boys and girls entered the forest, with Aoto Iseki at their head.

"Liuyun, I have a bad feeling about this. Something about this place feels so oppressive!"

Mikoto frowned and whispered in Liuyun's ear.

"Don't worry. I'm here." Liuyun glanced discreetly toward the nearby trees and spoke gently.

"Exactly! Don't worry, Mikoto! There's nothing to be afraid of while your big brother Nawaki is here!"

Senju Nawaki thumped his chest, determined to make his presence known.

As they spoke, Ebizo gave a cold smile from his perch in the tree and murmured,

"Attack. It's time to send Konoha a generous gift!"

The Sand Ninja had been itching to strike. Each unleashed their best Ninjutsu.

"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"

"Wind Release: Sickle Weasel!"

"Wind Release: Great Sickle Weasel!"

"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"

Powerful Wind Release attacks erupted from their mouths, joined by a Fire Release attack!

The wind fed the flames. In an instant, a sea of fire engulfed the area around Liuyun.

"Heh! It worked! They really were clueless beginners!"

"It's over! What a way to start!"

"Should we clean up the battlefield?"

The Sand Ninja spoke over one another, some dismissive, others mocking.

To them, taking down a mere Genin squad was effortless.

"No! Wait! They're still alive!" the Sand Ninja sensor suddenly cried.

"Impossible! Takeshita, did you sense it wrong? How could a bunch of Genin withstand our combined Ninjutsu?" one Sand Ninja scoffed.

"I didn't. They're alive. Something's happening!" Takeshita said again, his face grave.

As soon as he finished speaking, a sharp hissing rose from below, the sound of water meeting fire.

Mist billowed up, and the surrounding temperature plunged.

In an instant, it felt like the depths of winter.

What was going on? Why had mist suddenly appeared? Were there ninja from Kirigakure?

"Wind Release! Wind Release: Blow!" A Sand Ninja used Ninjutsu to disperse the mist.

The sight below left Ebizo and the others stunned, their faces darkening.

On the dirt path bordered by lush grass stood something crystalline and white as snow.

A giant, pot-lid-shaped barrier covered the path.

Wisps of mist curled around it like guards standing watch.

"Ice Release! Did we attack people from Kirigakure? So this really was a trap!"

Ebizo's face darkened as he spoke each word.

"Lord Ebizo, should we...?"

"Kill them! We've already attacked. No hesitation!"

Resolve hardened in Ebizo's eyes, and he gave the order without a moment's delay.

As they spoke, Ebizo led the charge, appearing before Liuyun and the others with the remaining Sand Ninja close behind.

Crack! Crack!

Sensing their arrival, Liuyun immediately dispelled the Ice Barrier before him.

"Ebizo!" Aoto Iseki's face twisted as he recognized the man.

When he felt the strength radiating from the people behind Ebizo, despair filled his face.

Ebizo ignored Aoto Iseki. His cold, sinister gaze settled on Liuyun.

"I thought someone from Kirigakure had come. Instead, it's a Konoha brat!"

"Ice Release Kekkei Genkai. Konoha really spared no expense!"

"Attack! Leave no one alive! Finish this quickly!"

Ebizo waved his hand, wasting no time.

He charged straight at Aoto Iseki himself.

The others grinned savagely and rushed into the crowd, hungry for blood.

The weakest among them were Elite Chunin, and they were part of a special squad assembled by the Sand Ninja.

Even among the Sand Ninja, they were the best of the best.

Against children fresh out of school, they were tigers among sheep. The slaughter was utterly one-sided.

Within moments, only Liuyun, his two companions, and Aoto Iseki were left struggling to hold on.

Everyone else had fallen to the Sand Ninja's blades.

(If you old perverts want to say something in the comments, hurry up! I'll pin one for you. And maybe send some flowers?)

An Overwhelming Attack! (Fifth Update!)

"Shimura Youzheng!" Nawaki cried out in anguish at the sight of the friend who had been laughing and talking with him only moments before.

"Enough! Now isn't the time to cry. I told you to go back, but you wouldn't listen! What good will crying do?" Liuyun snapped.

"Ice Release brat! Your life is mine. Remember the name of the man who killed you: Hiyori Shiya!"

The Sand Ninja before him grinned viciously and licked his bloodied Kunai. Then he vanished.

"Die!"

Hiyori Shiya appeared abruptly before Liuyun and slashed hard at his throat!

Clang!

The impact rang out like steel striking steel.

Liuyun looked at the ice before him, his voice flat. "You're right about one thing. You deserve to die!"

He thrust out a small hand. The ice exploded, sending countless shards shooting outward like arrows!

Hiyori Shiya took the full force of it. Before he could even react, the shards riddled him, leaving him a bloody corpse.

The sudden turn made the Sand Ninja who had been watching from the sidelines stiffen. They turned toward Liuyun and his two companions, their eyes blazing with murderous intent.

Thud!