Teacher and Student Kill Each Other

The three of them followed the path provided by the bandits and easily reached the enemy's stronghold.

Along the way, they frequently encountered small groups of targets.

The difference between these ordinary people and ninjas was quite obvious; even a mere brat fresh out of the Ninja Academy could be dealt with easily.

However, Yue didn't do much, as Ryuga and Yoshitaka were the ones doing most of the work.

In just over ten minutes, more than ten bandits had fallen to the two of them... all were knocked unconscious and tied up at a designated spot.

The mission proceeding so smoothly also greatly boosted the confidence of the two youngsters, causing them to unconsciously let down their guard.

Finally, they arrived in front of the cave where the bandit leader was located.

Using the Tracking Technique, they hid in the trees to observe first.

From a distance, the three could see torches burning inside the cave and a few blurry figures.

Ryuga silently began making hand gestures again, issuing the attack order, signaling that the three of them would sneak attack from different directions. The mission had progressed to this point, and Yue had remained uninvolved, so Ryuga felt a sense of responsibility as the team leader.

After a brief preparation, Ryuga and Yoshitaka instantly rushed out from the shadows, charging into the cave.

As soon as they entered, they saw five or six bandits sitting around a campfire, positioned in different areas. The plan was to catch the enemy off guard with a surprise attack. Therefore, Yoshitaka and Ryuga didn't hesitate, each lunging at their opponents, taking advantage of the surprise and before they could even get up.

The two moved with clean, swift actions. After taking down the enemies, they realized that the target who was supposed to be Yue's had not been attacked.

This was because Yue had not attacked with them at all.

"You're finally here... you're really quite slow."

At this moment, the bandit leader, a man with a thick beard, slowly stood up.

He seemed unsurprised by their appearance.

"Go!"

Ryuga shouted lightly.

"There's no time to worry about that. There are three people left. Besides this big bearded guy who looks tough to deal with, the other two shouldn't be a problem."

Thinking this, Ryuga and Yoshitaka attacked again, intending to replicate their previous success by taking down the enemies other than the leader first.

But this time, they miscalculated.

As the two prepared to use their excellent Taijutsu to close the distance and attack, the person standing next to the bandit leader easily blocked their punches and kicks, even drawing a kunai to engage them. After a few exchanges, Yoshitaka, who was slightly weaker, was hit in the stomach with a punch, his eyes bulging, and he collapsed to the ground.

"He's a ninja!"

Ryuga's mind went blank.

Immediately, a short blade was thrust into his body.

White smoke billowed, and Ryuga executed the Substitution Technique.

As the wooden log fell, Ryuga, having moved away, finally sensed that something was wrong and turned to flee the cave.

His expression was panicked.

But the big bearded man behind him grinned and formed hand seals.

Instantly, Ryuga's real body was unable to move.

He froze in place, maintaining the posture of lifting his leg.

"What is this..." Ryuga's pupils contracted.

He confirmed the enemy's identity; they were indeed ninjas.

Most of the ninjutsu they learned in the Ninja Academy were E-rank support techniques, such as the Three Basic Jutsu, Tracking Technique, Escape Technique, and some low-level Taijutsu and projectile techniques. But the 'Immobilization' ninjutsu the other person used, even if it was a low-level D-rank ninjutsu, required at least Genin level to perform.

The big bearded man walked up and roughly grabbed Ryuga by his white hair, "Heh... as expected of someone from that clan, no mistake."

"Where's Teacher... Teacher Masada."

Ryuga didn't know what had happened; he only knew that he and his companion were in danger.

His eyes darted around, and he silently called out Teacher Masada's name in his heart.

Didn't Teacher Masada say he would come to their rescue if their lives were in danger?

Where was he?

"However... you said there were three people, why is one missing."

"Brat... you ran away quickly."

The big bearded man's gaze fixed on the woods outside the cave, and he ordered the two beside him, "Don't let him get away."

"Yes."

After speaking, the two Grass Ninjas exchanged a glance and disappeared into the cave.

On the other side, Yue was leaping rapidly through the forest, galloping down the mountain using the branches.

His premonition had come true.

Almost as soon as Yoshitaka and Ryuga failed, he had turned and fled without hesitation.

"Fortunately, I was prepared," Yue thought to himself.

However, at this moment, he hadn't escaped danger yet; the enemy would definitely pursue him.

And then there was...

Teacher Masada.

There was no doubt about it; Masada was definitely in league with the enemy.

With a thought, Yue landed on a tree trunk, no longer moving.

This was because a person had appeared on the ground ahead, standing there and blocking his path.

"Yue... what's wrong?"

It was Teacher Masada.

The man approached with a look of concern, asking in a nervous tone, "Did something happen?"

Upon hearing this, Yue descended from the tree.

He said with a frightened expression, "Teacher Masada... Ryuga and Yoshitaka were captured by bandits."

"What?"

Masada put on a look of 'surprise.' "I was only gone for a short while, and I didn't expect you to encounter danger. I thought you had found the enemy's stronghold, so to facilitate your mission, I decided to clear out any potential bandits in the vicinity first, to ensure no one slipped through."

"Logically speaking, with the strength of this group of bandits, the three of you should have been able to handle them without any problems. How did this happen?"

"They weren't bandits, but ninjas in disguise, and they were very strong... They are likely ninjas who infiltrated the country from an enemy nation. I wonder what their objective is?"

Yue, like a helpless child, quickly approached his teacher.

"Enemy ninjas? Damn it, I was careless!"

Masada's expression changed slightly. "This is a serious matter, we must notify the village immediately."

"Alright, Teacher will escort you to safety first."

Looking at the approaching Yue, Masada inwardly sneered.

He's still too green. No matter how outstanding he appears in the Ninja Academy, he has no practical combat experience and has never set foot on a battlefield... When something truly happens, he panics.

As Yue reached him, a 'gloom' flickered in Masada's eyes.

"He's just a kid with a bit of cunning..."

He reached out and placed his hand on Yue's shoulder, pretending to comfort him. "Don't worry, with..."

Thwack.

Before he could finish speaking, Masada's body trembled abruptly.

He lowered his head and saw that Yue, who had appeared frightened moments ago, had regained his composure. With a cold expression, he thrust the kunai in his hand into Masada's chest without any warning.

"You!!"

Masada's eyes widened in shock.

He immediately spat out a mouthful of blood.

Staggering backward.

"You want to say, 'Don't worry... I'm here'?"

Yue's expression made Masada feel like he was looking at a stranger.

"My dear teacher... it's precisely because you are here that I should be worried."

"At a time like this, you still have the mood and time to waste on comforting my emotions, instead of running away quickly or making a swift plan of action. It's truly... illogical and completely lacking in basic ninja conduct."

Yue commented.

"You knew all along!"

Masada steadied himself, pulled out the kunai lodged in his chest, and his gentle features contorted into a ferocious grimace.

"Of course... the trap you set was full of loopholes and could only fool those idiots Ryuga and Yoshitaka."

Not killing Masada was within Yue's expectations.

After all, he was a Chunin. The moment he felt pain, he would react. It was unlikely to kill him with a surprise attack.

It was good enough to injure him.

As Yue spoke, he reached behind him for his schoolbag, his fingers flipping open a scroll.

With a puff of smoke, a special ninja tool appeared in his hand.

"The current troublesome situation is that he's holding me back..."

Yue assumed a stance, gathered his focus, and entered a combat state.

With two swift whooshes, two Grass Ninjas appeared behind him.

If Masada hadn't appeared, Yue would have had a chance to escape.

"Yo... what's going on?"

One of the Grass Ninjas whistled, seeing the scene. "You're really in a sorry state... to be injured by a mere kid."

"Are you really going to make us fight, teacher and student?"

The other person didn't rush to attack, instead making a jest.

After all, in their eyes, Yue was already like a fish on a chopping block.

It was just that this situation surprised them.

"Hmph, I was just careless for a moment."

Being taunted by his two accomplices, Masada felt a surge of shame and anger. He took a deep breath, gradually regaining his composure.

Then, he looked at Yue across from him. "Yue… we've known each other for so long, and I never knew you could act.

"Ever since you entered the Ninja Academy, I've been the one teaching you… I've been so good to you, and yet you're really willing to strike me. To be honest, Teacher… I'm a little hurt."

"Since we've dropped the pretense… I'll be direct. Of everyone in the class, you're the one I hate the most!"

Masada suddenly roared.

His current demeanor completely shattered the image he had cultivated at the Ninja Academy.

Seeing Masada angry, a Grass Ninja in the distance quickly reminded him, "Just teach them a lesson, don't kill them."

"I know."

Masada replied coldly.

His gaze fixed on Yue with a savage intensity.

"Come on, my dear student… let me show you what happens when you anger your teacher…"

As he spoke, Masada lunged forward like a tiger released from its cage.

"Good… the other two don't seem to be planning to attack just yet."

Yue tensed their body, inwardly feeling fortunate.