Amegakure's Attack

Unlike Meikyō, who stayed obediently in the middle of the team guarding the supplies, Inuzuka Ryo and Aburame Nami were assigned to the outer perimeter due to their exceptional reconnaissance abilities, using their senses to watch for attacks that could appear at any moment. At least two Chunin were stationed beside each of them for protection, as Sensor Ninja were too valuable.

"Stay alert, everyone. The terrain in the valley ahead is perfect for an ambush. Last month's group was attacked by Amegakure right here. Be careful! The moment any Sensor Ninja detects something suspicious, report it immediately!"

A Special Jonin in his twenties stood at the front of the group, speaking to everyone behind him. He had shoulder-length hair and a knife scar at the corner of one eye.

He was one of the three Special Jonin at the rear outpost camp whose status was second only to Inuzuka Gaku. His name was Shirakumo Tokinobu, and he had extensive combat experience. According to what Inuzuka Ryo had heard, he stood out even among Konoha's Special Jonin and was no weaker than many Jonin. He simply lacked connections, which was why he had been stuck at the rank of Special Jonin for several years. He needed to accumulate more seniority and War Merit before he could advance.

Meikyō focused with utmost concentration, his cautious gaze following the team as they swiftly moved through the valley.

The mountains on both sides were steep, and the forests were dense. With such high ground overlooking the path below, it was indeed an ideal place for an ambush.

It was not as if they had not considered taking another route, but the terrain on the other paths was even more dangerous. They could only choose the relatively less perilous route among these treacherous paths.

"Jonin Shirakumo, something's wrong!"

In the distance, Inuzuka Ryo's voice suddenly rang out from the Sensor Ninja group.

Upon hearing it, Shirakumo Tokinobu hurried toward Inuzuka Ryo's position.

"What happened? What did you detect?"

Shirakumo Tokinobu looked sternly at Inuzuka Ryo.

"Not me. Nami."

Inuzuka Ryo pointed to Aburame Nami beside him, who stood quietly with her eyes closed as she controlled her insects.

Seeing Nami's hood-and-sunglasses outfit, Shirakumo Tokinobu immediately recognized her as a member of the Aburame Clan. He suppressed his anxiety and waited quietly beside her while calmly directing the team to halt its advance.

A few minutes later, insects flew back from the distance one after another and entered Aburame Nami's wide sleeves.

"Genin Nami, what exactly is the situation?"

Shirakumo Tokinobu asked Aburame Nami with a grave expression.

"At the valley entrance, around a hundred Rain Ninja are lying in ambush. Judging by their clothing, there should be Jonin-level experts among them."

Aburame Nami adjusted her sunglasses as she spoke, but her voice no longer carried its usual calm.

"Jonin-level opponents..."

Shirakumo Tokinobu furrowed his brow and exchanged a glance with a Chunin beside him.

Their group totaled more than eighty people. Naturally, he, a Special Jonin, was the strongest among them. There were over thirty Chunin, while everyone else was Genin. Quite a few were inexperienced Genin who had only graduated in the past two years, lacking both strength and combat experience.

If a battle truly broke out, they would likely suffer considerable losses and might not be able to protect this batch of supplies.

After weighing countless thoughts in his mind, Shirakumo Tokinobu swiftly settled on a plan.

"All Konoha Ninja, heed my command! Sensor Ninja and Genin, move to the center. All Chunin skilled in defensive ninjutsu, protect the outer flanks. The remaining Chunin, form up with me. Once the formation is set, lay traps on the spot and use ninjutsu to construct defensive fortifications. Take the supplies and pretend to retreat along our original route. Be ready to launch a countercharge at any moment!"

Once the order was given, all the Konoha Ninja quickly began moving. Meikyō used the opportunity to squeeze over beside Inuzuka Ryo and Aburame Nami.

In a situation like this, standing with teammates who understood each other best was the surest way to ease the tension and bring out their full strength.

The more than eighty members of Konoha's logistics escort changed formations in an orderly fashion, slowly moving back along the route they had come from while leaving trap after trap on the ground.

At the valley entrance, a gaunt middle-aged man wearing a gas mask formed hand seals with both hands, his eyes closed as he sensed the surroundings.

"Lord Takeda! The Konoha ninja unit has turned toward the rear. It looks like they're trying to return the way they came!"

The middle-aged man suddenly opened his eyes and shouted to an Amegakure Jonin beside him.

Takeda Hiroshi frowned after hearing this.

"Are you sure?"

The middle-aged man closed his eyes again and used Sensory Ninjutsu to confirm the situation within the valley.

"It's true! They've completely reorganized their formation and are retreating!"

A vicious glint flashed through Takeda Hiroshi's eyes as he made his decision without hesitation.

"In that case, there's no need to hesitate. All troops, attack! Intercept and eliminate Konoha's logistics unit!"

"Yes!"

In an instant, more than a hundred Amegakure ninja wearing gas masks rushed out in full force.

"They're here! Everyone, be careful!"

A Sensor Ninja shouted suddenly, drawing every Konoha Ninja's attention toward the valley entrance.

There, a large group of Amegakure ninja charged toward them with weapons in hand.

"Everyone, form ranks and prepare to meet the enemy! Water Style and Earth Style users, get ready!"

Standing atop a wagon, Shirakumo Tokinobu issued orders to all the ninja.

In the distance, Takeda Hiroshi watched the Konoha Ninja hold their ground. As an experienced Jonin, he immediately guessed that traps might lie ahead and promptly called over several Rain Ninja skilled in large-scale Water Style techniques.

Water Style: Waterfall Technique!

Water Style: Water Shockwave!

Water Style: Tidal Wave!

In just a few breaths, a surging torrent formed at the valley entrance and crashed toward Konoha's position, washing away the traps the Konoha Ninja had previously set on the ground.

"Earth Style users, prepare!"

Shirakumo Tokinobu was not surprised by this sight and urgently ordered the Earth Style users to respond.

Earth Style: Earth Style Wall!

Earth Style: Earth Return!

Earth Style: Brick Technique!

Rows of earthen walls, each different in shape and texture, rose before the Konoha Ninja position, blocking the raging flood as well as the Shuriken and other attacks that followed.

Ninja were fast. As soon as they had blocked those attacks, Amegakure ninja came charging over with howls, splashing through the puddles on the ground.

Clang!

The sound of metal striking metal rang out as Shirakumo Tokinobu drew his ninja blade and clashed with an Amegakure Jonin.

With just one look, Meikyō knew that this kind of Jonin-level clash was beyond his ability to intervene in.

But...

Meikyō silently opened his scarlet Sharingan and watched the Amegakure ninja charging toward them.