"This is the site of a mission Konoha accepted from Sunagakure. Sunagakure has no authority to interfere. Leave at once, or bear the consequences yourselves."
The Konoha Anbu Ninja in the fox mask spoke in a tone that brooked no dispute.
His hand and those of his two companions were already on the ninja tool pouches at their waists, ready to strike at any moment.
A cold glint flashed in Hoshino's eyes.
Sunagakure had lost the Third Shinobi World War and, as compensation, had outsourced a great deal of work to Konoha.
But that did not mean they could enter the Land of Wind's territory as they pleased, much less order Sunagakure's Anbu around.
"Even outsourced missions require formal authorization and records from Sunagakure's higher-ups. Don't tell me you didn't know that!" Hoshino sneered.
"This is an agreement between Konoha and Sunagakure's higher-ups. We aren't authorized to disclose the details. If you have questions, you can ask the Kazekage directly."
The fox-masked ninja clearly hadn't expected Hoshino to take such a hard line, and his tone softened slightly.
"Ask him?" Hoshino's voice grew even colder. "That can wait until later!"
"Attack!"
No sooner had the words left his mouth than Hizuki charged ahead, her Ninja Blade tracing a cold gleam through the air as she aimed straight for the fox-masked ninja's throat.
"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"
The fox ninja formed Hand Seals, and a thick earthen wall rose from the sand, blocking Hizuki's attack.
Meanwhile.
Maki rapidly formed Hand Seals and shouted, "Wind Release: Wind Cutter Technique!"
Several sharp blades of wind howled forth, speeding straight toward the other two Konoha Anbu Ninja.
They quickly dodged and hurled several Shuriken in retaliation.
Hoshino remained where he stood. The Spirit Control Beads glowed faintly, and the surrounding sand and dust instantly gathered into several sand snakes that swept toward the Konoha Anbu Ninja.
"Sunagakure's Anbu do have a few tricks up their sleeves," the fox ninja said coldly.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"
A massive fireball hurtled straight at Hoshino.
Hoshino snorted coldly. The surrounding sand and dust instantly gathered into a wall of sand, blocking the fireball.
"On the Land of Wind's territory, Sunagakure's rules are the only rules!"
Hoshino swept one hand out, and the sand wall instantly broke apart into countless sand blades that swept toward his opponent.
The fox-masked ninja dodged quickly.
But there were too many sand blades, and one still cut a bloody gash across his arm.
"Damn it, does Sunagakure really intend to make an enemy of Konoha?"
A ruthless glint flashed in the fox ninja's eyes as he and his two companions shifted their stances, clearly preparing to fight to the death.
Hoshino sneered. "Make an enemy of you? Konoha's Anbu were the ones who crossed the line first. Since you refuse to back down, don't blame us for showing no mercy!"
Before he finished speaking, Hoshino had vanished from where he stood.
The next second, he appeared in front of the fox-masked ninja, and the surrounding sand and dust instantly gathered into several sand snakes that swept toward his opponent.
The fox-masked ninja quickly retreated, forming Hand Seals as he did.
"Fire Style: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!"
A scorching fire dragon rose from the ground and rushed straight at Hoshino.
Hoshino neither dodged nor retreated. With a sweep of one hand, he sent the sand snakes crashing into the fire dragon in midair, unleashing a dazzling flash.
The other two Konoha Anbu Ninja rushed toward Maki and Hizuki.
"Lightning Release: Earth Flow!"
Lightning instantly covered the ground, and the current sped straight toward Maki and Hizuki.
Maki's expression changed, and she quickly pulled back, but she was clearly slower than the lightning.
"Maki, get back!"
Hoshino's voice suddenly rang out, and a sand wall rose from the ground, blocking the lightning attack.
"Captain!" Maki called out, somewhat guiltily.
Her strength was clearly insufficient to handle a battle of this level.
Hoshino didn't look back. He merely said coldly, "Hizuki, watch yourself and try not to use Ninjutsu. Maki, retreat to a safe area and be ready to provide support at any time."
Hizuki nodded, twirled her Ninja Blade in her hand, and charged at one of the Konoha Anbu Ninja.
The Konoha Anbu Ninja hadn't expected Hizuki to be so fast and could only barely dodge in his haste.
But Hizuki didn't stop attacking. Her Ninja Blade traced cold gleam after cold gleam through the air, forcing him back again and again.
Seeing this, the other Konoha Anbu Ninja quickly formed Hand Seals and shouted, "Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
A powerful whirlwind erupted from his mouth.
Wind Release Ninjutsu was twice as powerful in the desert, whipping up sand and dust that filled the sky and formed an attack like a sandstorm.
Hizuki dodged quickly.
But the Wind Release covered too wide an area, and the wind blades still tore several slits in the hem of her clothes.
Hizuki snorted coldly, twirled her Ninja Blade in her hand, and quickly closed in on him.
"Wind Release: Vacuum Sphere!"
The Konoha Anbu Ninja formed Hand Seals again, firing several compressed air bullets from his mouth.
Hizuki leaped high, dodging the incoming Ninjutsu. Her Ninja Blade traced a cold gleam through the air as she slashed down viciously.
"Clang!"
Ninja Blade and Kunai collided, sending sparks flying.
On the other side, Hoshino and the fox ninja were locked in fierce combat.
Sand and dust intertwined with flames around them, and scorching heat filled the air.
The fox ninja's Fire Release Ninjutsu was powerful, while Hoshino's Magnet Release Ninjutsu was versatile and unpredictable.
The two fought to a standstill.
As Hoshino fought, he glanced at the other battlefield out of the corner of his eye.
Although Hizuki was not as strong as her opponents, her speed and skill made her difficult for them to handle. With Maki's ranged support, she could just barely fight two opponents at once.
But relying on Taijutsu alone, her defeat was only a matter of time.
Looks like I need to end this quickly!
Hoshino's gaze sharpened, and the sand and dust around him instantly whipped up into a sandstorm that filled the sky.
At the same time, three fist-sized puppets flew out from his waist, concealing themselves in the windblown sand.
"Magnet Release: Iron Sand Shower!"
Countless tiny Iron Sand particles suddenly flashed into view amid the sand and dust filling the sky, pouring down like a torrential rainstorm.
"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"
The fox ninja's expression changed. He quickly formed Hand Seals, and a thick earthen wall rose from the ground in front of him.
The Iron Sand particles struck the earthen wall with a dense chorus of pings, but failed to break through his defense.
"Hmph, so this is all Sunagakure's Anbu can do!" the fox ninja taunted.
"Is that so?" The corners of Hoshino's mouth curled into a cold sneer.
Just then.
The three fist-sized puppets hidden in the sand and dust suddenly appeared, surrounding the fox ninja.
"Wind Release: Wind Blade!"
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
"Wind Release: Wind Cutter Technique!"
"..."
In an instant, a full six or seven different Wind Release Ninjutsu appeared,
Wind blades, whirlwinds, air bullets-Wind Release Ninjutsu of every shape intertwined in the air, forming a dense net of attacks.
The fox ninja's pupils abruptly contracted, and he tried to use Earth Release to defend himself again.
But this time, his Hand Seals were clearly a beat too slow.
The Wind Release Ninjutsu moved extremely fast. Almost the instant he completed his Hand Seals, the wind blades and air bullets were already closing in on him.
"Pfft! Pfft! Pfft!"
The wind blades and air bullets struck his head, heart, and limbs with precision, and blood instantly gushed out.