The rendezvous point was in a Dense Forest outside Konoha.
Since this was an ANBU mission, no one outside the ANBU could be allowed to know about it.
To maintain absolute secrecy, only four people would take part in this mission.
When Ling Feng arrived, he found Dog Mask and Cat Mask there alongside Fox Mask.
"Ling Feng, you should wear a mask. I know you like to do things your own way, but this is an ANBU rule. We must keep our identities strictly confidential. That offers the greatest protection for both you and the village."
Fox Mask spoke.
It seemed Fox Mask would be commanding today's operation.
But Ling Feng merely smiled faintly. "No need. Once I act, no one will escape."
"Ling Feng, these are the rules. The Third Hokage said so himself."
Knowing Ling Feng would not listen, Fox Mask had consulted the Third Hokage beforehand. Only after receiving his permission had Fox Mask dared to keep giving Ling Feng orders.
Otherwise, with Ling Feng's temper, he might have attacked Fox Mask outright.
He certainly would not kill Fox Mask, but beating Fox Mask senseless would be no problem at all. And none of the people here could stop Ling Feng.
Ling Feng raised an eyebrow at those words, his expression predictably displeased. Fox Mask grew very nervous.
"I told you, this operation won't leave a single survivor. As for future operations, I'll judge for myself based on the circumstances."
Then Ling Feng took out a panda mask and gave it a little wave.
"Besides, I have my own mask. Thanks for the thought."
Seeing this, Fox Mask could only drop the matter. Ling Feng was beyond Fox Mask's control. The fact that he had patiently explained this much was probably already a considerable courtesy.
"Let's go. According to our intelligence, the enemy will launch an attack at a checkpoint at eleven this morning. Our mission is to keep the Land of Fire's senior officials alive!"
"Yes!"
Everyone nodded in acknowledgment.
"Disperse!"
Another sharp command rang out.
The four vanished instantly, becoming shadows darting through the Dense Forest.
At that moment, Fox Mask noticed how fluid Ling Feng's movements were. He covered in a single push what took the others two or three footholds.
Was a genius's ability to grasp things really this terrifying?
Was this a gap they could never close, even if they spent their entire lives trying?
Fox Mask sighed repeatedly, overwhelmed by the thought.
They reached their destination ahead of the appointed time.
"They aren't here yet, and we still have about half an hour until the scheduled time. We should pick our ambush positions in advance."
Cat Mask made the suggestion.
Fox Mask considered it, then nodded in agreement.
But Ling Feng refused.
"If we follow the original plan, all we'll find are corpses."
His words startled all three of them.
"Why? This plan was drawn up by the ANBU leadership. We only need to follow it."
Fox Mask was thoroughly puzzled.
"The purge we completed yesterday dealt with the moles inside our ranks. The enemy must have noticed, so there's a very good chance they'll change their original plan."
"If we keep following the original plan, our chances of failure will be extremely high."
Ling Feng spoke calmly.
After hearing his analysis, the three were speechless. They could not think of a single argument worth making.
Ling Feng's reasoning was simply too precise. He had laid out the causes and consequences clearly. With their abilities, they would never have thought of those hidden factors.
All three could not help wondering whether something was wrong with their intelligence.
"What now? There's only half an hour until the scheduled time. What should we do?"
Both Cat Mask and Dog Mask had lost their confidence.
They had always carried out the organization's plans step by step, never daring to make judgments of their own.
This was the first time they had faced such uncertainty.
As the squad leader, Fox Mask was also in a difficult position.
After mulling it over, Fox Mask finally turned to Ling Feng. "Ling Feng, do you have any ideas?"
"We know the route the Land of Fire's senior officials are taking. We'll retrace it. As long as we reach them before the enemy does, not one of them will die," Ling Feng said calmly.
"Fight them head-on? There are only four of us!"
Cat Mask cried out in alarm.
"That's too risky. According to our intelligence, there are at least ten enemies, all Jonin. And we don't even know whether they have reinforcements."
Dog Mask could not help shaking their head.
Fox Mask said nothing, still watching Ling Feng.
Without realizing it, Fox Mask had already begun relying on him.
"They'll definitely have reinforcements, but this is our only option. If we let the enemy strike first, we'll lose our chance."
"Whether you come or not is up to you."
With that, Ling Feng turned and leaped onto a branch, ready to move.
The three beneath the tree immediately stared at one another.
Without Ling Feng, they did not even know what to say.
In the end, Dog Mask and Cat Mask looked at Fox Mask. As the leader, the final decision rested with Fox Mask.
After a brief silence, Fox Mask looked up and leaped.
With three soft swishes, three figures appeared behind Ling Feng.
"Let's go, Ling Feng. I have the route map."
Fox Mask spoke.
"Lead the way. We need to hurry."
Without looking back, Ling Feng got his bearings and set off first. The others hurried after him.
Watching his back, all three felt an inexplicable sense of awe. Was he really just a five-year-old child?
In fact, Ling Feng did not need the route map. With his Byakugan, he could easily track the Land of Fire's senior officials.
But showing too much of his ability would cause trouble.
Ten minutes later, they caught up with the senior officials' traveling party.
"There they are. Thank goodness they're all right." Fox Mask sighed in relief at the sight.
But Ling Feng's Byakugan had already detected something wrong. Not far away, twenty Kirigakure ninja were approaching at high speed.
Everything seemed calm on the surface, but danger was about to descend.
"Stop the party and have them hide here. We've already wasted too much time getting here."
"If we want to keep the officials safe, we have to get them away from the battlefield."
Ling Feng shouted.
Fox Mask froze, about to point out that the enemy had not appeared yet.
Then several sharp whistles cut through the air, and a volley of kunai shot toward them.
Fox Mask and the other two dodged in panic, but they all knew their position had been exposed.
"Go guide our charges into hiding first. There are probably twenty enemies."
Only Ling Feng remained calm. A closer look would have revealed a hint of excitement.
A new mission had been issued.
Eliminate all enemies. Reward: 300 points. Time limit: one hour!
Before you continue