The journey from the daimyo's capital to the Fire Temple would only take a dozen hours at Team Guy's average speed. However, Naoki Senju had never considered carrying out any mission in the Fire Temple. After enduring for so long, it was time for Danzo's Root to make its move...
" Teacher Guy, why don't we set up camp here and have lunch before we head out? Anyway, there's no time limit for the mission." Naoki Senju slowed his pace, observing his surroundings as he spoke.
The surrounding terrain is wide and flat, with a broad view and no concealed escape routes. Although it is not the best ambush location, it can ensure a higher success rate for the ambush.
Most importantly, this place is far from Konoha. The nearest ninja village is Sunagakure. Even if an entire ninja squad is wiped out here, the Konoha authorities will only suspect Sunagakure, not a traitor within their own ranks.
Might Guy squinted and looked up at the sun hanging overhead, confirming that it was indeed getting late before saying:
"Alright then, let's rest for a while, have lunch, and then set off."
"Ah~ Great! I can finally rest."
Tenten immediately relaxed and leaned against the tree trunk, breathing somewhat rapidly. In terms of physical fitness, Tenten was probably the weakest of the five. Running for several hours was a considerable burden for her.
Might Guy placed his heavy backpack on the ground, skillfully took out pots and pans, and casually asked:
"Would you like to have Teacher Guy's special spicy curry rice today?"
" Guy-sensei, waaaaah..."
Neji quickly covered Rock Lee's mouth, and the group, still shaken by the experience of eating the spicy curry rice, would never eat it again.
"What a pity. Rock Lee and Neji go collect some dry firewood, and Tenten and Naoki should go to the river to catch some fish. I remember Naoki, you're good at Water Release, right? Try to catch a few more fish."
"No problem, but I think it's better for Tenten to rest a bit. Teacher Guy, please remember to take care of Tenten."
" Naoki-kun, you're so good to me, but don't worry, I can still take care of myself for now," Tenten said Tenten, almost collapsing on the ground from exhaustion.
Hopefully, it won't leave any psychological scars. With Might Guy around, safety is definitely not a problem. But as for courage, that's up to Tenten herself... Blame the Old Man Third; this was the plan he devised.
Naoki Senju silently tossed the pot away, not caring who it hit, and then walked towards the river not far away, openly surveying his surroundings and guessing from which corner the Root ninja would emerge.
Unfortunately, the Root ninja they were 'expecting' never appeared, even after they reached the edge of the river.
"That can't be right. Could it be that Danzo arranged the ambush on the way back to Konoha?"
Naoki Senju was completely baffled. He casually formed two hand seals, and the slowly flowing river began to rise. The small fish that were in the river fell into the riverbed without any warning, and the fish made their last struggles after losing their source of oxygen.
Naoki Senju was equally unprepared. In the river, a dark shadow loomed over him, lunging Naoki Kishimoto with a gleaming blade aimed straight for his vulnerable neck.
The Root ninja, who had perfected the Silent Killing Technique, plunged his Ninja Blade into Naoki Senju's neck, then smoothly slashed to the side, completing his thirty-ninth assassination mission.
But the ease with which this went this time made him feel a little uneasy...
Sure enough, the feeling of beheading was completely different; the target who was beheaded with a single blow turned into water and spilled all over the ground.
"We've fallen for their trap! This is just a Water Clone, but when exactly?"
The Root ninja wielding his Ninja Blade was about to retreat when a ghostly voice sounded behind him.
"Trying to leave? Too late. Water Release: Water Prison Technique."
The extremely dense water sphere instantly trapped the Root ninja inside. If he didn't have other companions to rescue him, he would suffocate to death within the Water Prison Technique in at most five minutes.
But how could Danzo, who was always holding back his anger, possibly send only one assassin ninja?
"Ninjutsu, Super Beast Imitating Drawing."
In the bushes not far away, Sai unfurled a scroll and wielded his brush, creating a lifelike ink painting. After Sai Hand Seals, the lions in the painting seemed to come alive, solidifying and stepping out of the painting.
After receiving Sai's instructions, he lunged at Naoki Senju, who was maintaining the Water Prison Technique.
At the same time, Might Guy, seeing the two unfamiliar ninjas without Forehead Protector suddenly appear before him, instantly became alert. Noticing that Tenten had been taken hostage, he didn't act rashly but tentatively asked:
"Which village are you ninja from? Your audacious attack on Konoha Ninja within the Land of Fire is a provocation we have reason to believe, a prelude to war."
Unexpectedly, the two unfamiliar ninjas did not choose to conceal their identities. However, for Might Guy, it was better to hide their identities, at least it would make things easier.
" Konoha Jonin Might Guy, we are Root ninjas under the Anbu, currently on a classified mission. Please cooperate."
The cold, emotionless words made Might Guy even more wary. Root ninjas... He had heard Kakashi mention them before; they were a more ruthless and merciless organization than the Anbu. But Root always operated outwards. What mission did the Land of Fire need them to carry out?
What mission are you on?
No comment.
Might Guy wasn't surprised at all, because that's just how ruthless the Anbu is, Root definitely even more so.
"Where are my two disciples? Rock Lee and Neji Hyuga Clan."
"Others will 'protect' them."
"What about Naoki Senju of the Senju Clan?"
"Someone will also 'protect' him."
Might Guy sensed something was wrong. If the Root ninjas' purpose was to protect Genin, that would be understandable, but did he, Jonin, really need protection?
Might Guy uneasily walked in the direction Rock Lee and the others had left. Two Root ninjas raised their arms, blocking Might Guy's path, and warned him:
" Konoha Jonin Might Guy, please cooperate and don't make things difficult for us. We are ninjas directly under Root, and we have the highest authority to deal with ninjas who disrupt missions, even if they are Konoha Jonin."
Might Guy's eyes suddenly sharpened, and the aura emanating from him made the two Root ninjas feel increasingly dangerous.
What if I don't cooperate?
The Root ninja did not answer, but silently retreated. This action was not a concession, but a preparation for battle. No ninja with a sound mind would do such a thing when fighting a Taijutsu ninja at close range.
The ninja who was holding Tenten hostage knocked her Tenten with a karate chop. These secondary targets could not be killed before the primary target was killed.
However, Tenten still showed considerable courage as a ninja. Before being knocked unconscious by the Root ninjas, Tenten kept looking for a chance to escape, though she ultimately failed to find one...
The Root ninja drew his Ninja Blade from behind, the sharp blade slicing through the scabbard, facing Might Guy head-on. His mission was to restrain Might Guy's movements, creating opportunities for his teammates to land Ninjutsu. If necessary, he would sacrifice himself to hold off the enemy, getting hit by the Ninjutsu along with him.
Fighting broke out on two other battlefields not far away. Neji and Rock Lee refused to believe the so-called Root ninjas and started fighting at the drop of a hat.
" Byakugan - Open!"
" Konoha Whirlwind!"
Rock Lee's shout was exceptionally loud, Might Guy heard it clearly. While anxious, his fighting spirit also surged, and he shouted back in response:
" Rock Lee, watch closely, this is the power of youth."
"First Gate of Opening, second Gate of Healing, third Gate of Life, fourth Gate of Pain, open!"
Eight Gates Released Formation, four gates open instantly!
The emerald green light stood out conspicuously in the unobstructed area, Neji's Byakugan witnessed Might Guy's Chakra levels surge again and again, eventually reaching an unprecedented level.
This made Neji question his own existence; was this level of Chakra truly something a human could possess?
Might Guy, the proud Blue Beast of Konoha, reporting for duty!