Ambushed

"Alright! Then I'll leave this mission to you. Do a good job—I have faith in you." Ye Liang lightly tapped Kakashi on the forehead, treating it as encouragement.

"Yeah, let's get moving!"

Kakashi grinned like an idiot. Teacher tapped my forehead!

Even someone as strong as him had acknowledged him. Kakashi instantly felt a little proud!

He immediately led the jealous Obito and Rin toward Kannabi Bridge.

At this time, the bridge was completely empty. After checking the surrounding environment, Kakashi slowly made his way over.

Ye Liang casually found an unoccupied tree branch and dozed off.

"Kakashi, it's completely empty here. There isn't a single person around. Let's just go across," Obito said carelessly as he headed toward the bridge.

"Let's wait a little longer. Just because no one is visible now doesn't mean there aren't ninja hiding nearby."

"What's there to be afraid of? Even if someone does show up, I'll knock them out one punch at a time. No one will lay a hand on Rin."

"Heh, I'm just afraid you'll be the first one on your knees. Don't say I didn't warn you—we're only here to infiltrate today. I heard there are Jonin from the Land of Earth around this time."

"Hehe."

Seeing how amusing the two were, Rin Nohara could not help laughing.

"Rin, what do you think we should do? Keep infiltrating, or go over now?" The moment Rin spoke, Obito immediately asked.

"I think we should go straight over. Since it's an infiltration mission, the sooner we finish it, the sooner we can report back," Rin replied.

After hearing that, Kakashi sighed. But since both of them said so, he could only go with them.

Not long after they left, the previously empty grass suddenly rustled.

"Boss, they took the bait! Should we make our move now?"

"Wait a little longer. Once they fall into the trap, we'll go in and finish them off. We'll get twice the result with half the effort!"

"Got it, Boss!"

The leaves in the bushes shifted. They were actually several people disguised as vegetation!

Their bodies were green, like chameleons!

"Hatake, let's set the Explosive Tags here. The structure of this bridge is fairly loose. If we blow up the surrounding areas, we should be able to destroy the suspension bridge," Rin Nohara said.

Though she was not much of a fighter in actual combat, her theoretical knowledge was quite complete.

"Alright, we'll do as you say."

Kakashi agreed, then immediately headed to the surrounding areas with Obito to set the Explosive Tags.

But just as they reached their target positions, a barrage of Shuriken suddenly shot down at them from above!

"Not good, it's a trap!"

Kakashi was the first to react. He immediately swung his kunai to block them. As a Jonin, dealing with a simple Shuriken trap like this was easy.

But Rin Nohara was in danger.

"Rin! Watch out, get behind me!"

Obito had always cared deeply about Rin Nohara. Disregarding his own safety, he swiftly darted in front of her.

But Obito was still too weak. He could not block even a simple Shuriken trap. After only a few deflections, he was covered in wounds.

"Damn it!"

"Earth Style—Earth Wall!"

Kakashi immediately unleashed an Earth Style ninjutsu!

A towering earthen wall rose from the ground, rapidly forming a sturdy shield before them. Although Earth Style ninjutsu consumed a tremendous amount of Chakra, it was highly effective against wide-range attacks, instantly creating a solid bunker for them.

"Are you all alright?"

Kakashi checked the others' injuries.

"I'm fine! But Obito was badly hurt saving me!" Rin Nohara quickly took off Obito's shirt and used the Mystical Palm Technique to treat him.

She was the Medical Ninja of the team.

Ever since the Second Great Ninja War, Konoha had gradually discovered that assigning Medical Ninja to teams could greatly reduce casualties among their members. Thus, this arrangement had continued ever since.

"There's no time to treat him. If I'm not mistaken, the enemy is nearby. We have to break out immediately."

"But Obito—"

Before Rin Nohara could finish speaking, Kakashi had already slung Obito onto his back.

"Move."

They immediately retreated.

But at that moment, four yellow-clad figures had already blocked their path of retreat.

"You're Konoha ninja? I didn't expect Konoha to send shrimps like you into battle. Have all your grown-ups died?"

"Haha, Oishi, your mouth is getting meaner and meaner. But this little girl isn't bad. I like the look of her."

"Damn you! If you dare touch a single hair on Rin's head, I'll beat you all to death!" Obito thrashed and shouted from Kakashi's back.

"Rin, take care of Obito. I'll deal with them."

Kakashi immediately handed Obito to Rin Nohara and walked forward alone.

These four had powerful presences. They should all be Jonin-level. Rin Nohara and the others were only Genin; while they could lend a hand, they clearly could not handle these people now.

However, if he was only buying some time, he could still do it.

In Kakashi's view, their only way to escape was to notify Teacher Ye Liang, who was patrolling in the distance!

"Water Style—Water Dragon Bullet!"

A massive water dragon surged toward the four men's heads.

These four should be ninja from the Land of Earth, so Wind Style and Fire Style would not be very effective. Only Water Style could barely stand a chance.

They hurriedly leaped aside.

"Oh? This brat actually knows advanced ninjutsu. Looks like he's a Konoha genius. No wonder Konoha dared to send this bunch of little brats here to carry out a mission."

"Hmph, they've underestimated us too much! A genius is still a child! Oishi, go deal with those two brats in the back first. Leave this genius to us."

"Yes, Boss!"

"Ninja Art—Shadow Camouflage!"

The ninja who had first provoked them answered. His body suddenly turned transparent, then gradually vanished from where he stood.

"No wonder we didn't notice them earlier. So they know this kind of special ninjutsu. Obito! Rin! Be careful." Kakashi hurriedly warned his companions behind him, but the others had already charged at him.

These men looked very similar, somewhat chubby. Aside from the leader, whose presence was rather powerful, the others should not have been Kakashi's match.

Clang!

One of them drew the longsword from his back and slashed down at Kakashi's head.

He was a master swordsman.

"Earth Style—Fissure Earth Turning Palm!" The leader planted both hands on the ground. A wave of Chakra spread out, and the earth behind Kakashi split apart completely, cutting off the connection between Kakashi and Obito's group.

"Brat, you've got nowhere to run!"

The last ninja attacked Kakashi from the side.

"Earth Style—Rock Shelter Collapse!"

A series of undulating ridges rapidly spread toward Kakashi.

Not good, these people are planning to surround and kill me from all sides!

Kakashi sensed that things were going badly.

The situation had become extremely urgent!