The Land of Fire, Daimyo Prefecture.
The sudden appearance of a mysterious and highly aggressive forest has plunged half of the Land of Fire's capital into panic, especially the nobles who are extremely afraid of death. They are now hiding in their own secret chambers like rats seeking refuge.
However, the master of this daimyo's mansion was calmly fanning himself with Hiōgi, sipping the finest matcha from the Land of Tea, showing no sign of panic whatsoever, even though his personal guard, the Twelve Guardian Ninja, were not by his side.
Because at this moment, he had a more trustworthy force by his side...
"Xuan, do you Root know what that is?"
"I don't know, but some people have already investigated the situation and consulted historical records. I believe we'll have results soon."
A member of Root wearing a blue kappa mask appeared before the daimyo and knelt on one knee in submission.
This is also what the Daimyo liked most about the Root ninjas. Ninjas are just high-level fighters, why be so arrogant? They should kneel when they should. But unfortunately, even those wandering ninjas who were about to starve to death refused to kneel, including the Twelve Guardian Ninja Members took it upon themselves to protect the Daimyo.
"Yes, as soon as possible. I don't want to question Root's capabilities over such a small matter, and I hope Root won't let me down."
" The Root will certainly not betray the daimyo's trust."
After saying that, the Root ninja disappeared from sight. Such high work efficiency made the daimyo close his eyes with relief.
While training the Twelve Guardian Ninja, he intentionally supported Konoha's Danzo Root, aiming to create a balance and competition between the two. This was the most efficient method, successfully extracting all the value from both.
Rights, indeed, must be used correctly...
The events unfolded exactly as Asuma had predicted, though it was also the last thing Asuma wanted to see.
The enemy they attacked with a large amount of Ninjutsu and Chakra was nothing more than a clone.
However, no one blamed the sensory ninja who made a serious mistake, not because they were united and friendly, but because the failed siege meant the worst possible outcome—their location had been exposed. At this point, the most important thing was to annihilate the enemy, or... save their own lives.
It's not too late to settle scores after things have calmed down. The sensory ninja who made a serious mistake this time will at least lose half his life, even if he isn't executed by the daimyo's order.
This is a consensus among the Twelve Guardian Ninja, but given the current situation, everyone is equally in danger.
Only Asuma, Chiriku, Kazuma, and a ninja skilled in Wind Release form the third team, which is in a slightly better situation. The third team was the only one that didn't make a move earlier, and is currently the safest team.
The Twelve Guardian Ninja each used their own methods, hiding among the treetops or using invisibility techniques to remain hidden in the shadows, waiting for the enemy to reveal their position and searching for possible hiding places.
But the enemy was more cautious than they had imagined; it seemed that this seemingly perfect trap was merely bait to lure them here.
"Something's not right, Asuma. Have you ever carried out a similar mission in Konoha?" Chiriku asked with some concern.
"No, but I've never seen a ninja so audacious as to attack a daimyo's prefecture."
Asuma had even prepared Hand Seals; even if it were truly Wood Release, the advantage of Fire Style would surely create a breathing space...
Hidden behind his back, Kazuma glared hatefully at Asuma's back. It was all the fault of those damned Konoha Ninja. If it weren't for Konoha, the Daimyo's mansion would never have been attacked. It was even possible that Konoha had planned all of this!
The intense hatred directed at Konoha was almost tangible, and even Asuma, who had his back to Kazuma, could vaguely sense it.
But to everyone's surprise, the mysterious enemy they had been waiting for did not appear. Instead, a voice rang in everyone's ears.
"How much do you know about the massacre that occurred at the Soga Clan's residence on the night of November 20th, which was also the 56th year of the Konoha calendar and the 63rd year of the Land of Fire calendar?"
really!
Those few who knew the inside story, as well as Asuma and Chiriku who had guessed part of the situation, found it difficult to calm their turbulent emotions.
Is what's happening now retaliation for the daimyo's inaction and that of the Twelve Guardian Ninja?
But then, the voice revealed an even more unbelievable truth.
"Perhaps some people are unaware of certain top-secret information, so let me remind you: before the Soga Clan became nobles of the Land of Fire, they had an even more prestigious name— the Senju Clan!"
When the last piece of the puzzle was pieced together, everyone except a few slow-witted individuals understood what had happened. As for why the Senju Clan suffered such treatment, their greatest original sin was leaving Konoha and going into seclusion in the Land of Fire!
Without hesitation, Asuma leaped into the air, his hands flashing as he formed hand Hand Seals. Asuma inhaled the half-smoked cigarette butt in one gulp, letting out a sharp shout:
Fire Style: Ash Pile Burning!
This was perhaps the most powerful Ninjutsu Asuma had ever unleashed since inventing it through smoking; the gray smoke, mixed with debris, enveloped a full half of the area where the Deep Forest Emergence taken place!
As for teammates within the Ninjutsu's range... we can't worry about them for now. Anyway, they all have plenty of Chakra. Facing a large-scale Ash Pile Burning, they'll only suffer minor burns at most. But if they're even slightly careless against Wood Release, they could all die!
Upon hearing the name of the Senju Clan, Asuma's last shred of hope vanished, and he was already resigned to his fate.
There's a rule in the Shinobi World: in a one-on-one fight against a ninja with the Three-Tomoe Sharingan, there's no chance of victory. But the Old Man Third had warned him more than once that there are things even more terrifying than the Mitsudomoe Sharingan.
One of them is the secret weapon of each village— the Tailed Beast and Jinchūriki.
The second is Wood Release.
However, only Asuma, the " Konoha," knew this information; the Guardian Ninja below, Ash Pile Burning, were unaware of it.
After a few symbolic curses and a greeting to Asuma's immediate female relatives, the group began their self-rescue plan.
" Earth Release, Earth Style Wall."
The Earth Style Wall rising from all sides and above gave them a great sense of security, and everyone praised them.
"He's on good terms with Kazuma Qian. That Asuma is a complete traitor; has he forgotten we're still down there?"
"Exactly, exactly. No one from Konoha is any good."
Some of those who had been swayed by Kazuma in the past are now more willing to believe Kazuma, after all, they are both wandering ninjas, not graduates of Konoha's formal training.
Someone even added a Water Formation Wall to the inner layer of the Earth Style Wall to insulate it from the high temperature brought by the Fire Style. Asuma's fire completely burned away all the feelings that had been accumulated in the past.
Only Master Chiriku of the Fire Temple sat cross-legged in a corner, out of place with the bustling crowd. He keenly sensed that Asuma's overreaction might have a reason...
However, to the outside world, Asuma, who was constantly being asked about her relatives' well-being, felt her heart sink.
Apart from the Earth Release safe house built by Kazuma being partially damaged, the Wood Release forest shrouded in Fire Style was completely undamaged!
"How is this possible! Wood Release is not afraid of Fire Style?"
Ignoring his dwindling Chakra, Asuma lit another cigarette, preparing to go through it again, but a familiar voice rang out almost beside Asuma.
" Wood Release is certainly afraid of fire, but it's not afraid of a tiny spark like you."
Naoki Senju, now dressed in Konoha Anbu attire, appeared beside Asuma, his expression solemn, his calm eyes concealing a chilling killing intent.