Iwagakure Ninja
Amidst these endless, towering mountains, Koki and her group trudged onward with difficulty.
The mountains on both sides of the road soar into the clouds, majestic and magnificent, while the narrow path in the middle is like the deep mark left by nature wielding its sharpest blade, forcefully splitting the mountain range.
Gekko Hayate walked cautiously at the head of the group, each step taken with extra care. He carefully surveyed the path ahead, occasionally turning his head to glance at Koki and the others following closely behind.
He said with a worried expression, "Koki, this mountain road is so rugged and difficult to travel. That old woman on the commercial street clearly has ill intentions!"
The old woman's words were evasive, attempting to lead them astray, but Koki seemed to believe her wholeheartedly and immediately set off for the place.
A mysterious smile played on Koki's lips. "Isn't it precisely this unknown that makes everything so interesting?"
He wanted to see what White Zetsu was plotting!
After hearing Hayate, Gale could only shrug helplessly. "Since you've made up your mind, I'll listen to you."
After saying that, he said nothing more and silently continued to forge ahead on the treacherous mountain path.
A biting, icy wind howled past, making everything around seem desolate and bleak. The grass and trees were withered and yellow, and the valley was so empty and silent that it sent chills down one's spine.
Looking around, there was no one to be seen; the deathly silence seemed to devour one's soul, instilling a nameless fear in one's heart.
"Everyone must be on high alert; this kind of terrain makes it extremely easy to be ambushed." Koki's voice echoed in the silence.
Everyone nodded and moved forward cautiously.
Their footsteps echoed through the valley, sounding exceptionally clear. With each step, the tense atmosphere permeated the air. Gekko Hayate gripped his sword tightly, ready to face any potential danger.
As you venture deeper, the atmosphere in the valley becomes increasingly oppressive, with the surrounding peaks looming overhead like giant shadows, creating an invisible sense of unease.
Deep in this desolate valley, Koki's ominous premonition grew stronger. He felt as if an invisible gaze was watching him from the shadows, and the unease made him restless.
Koki tilted her head slightly and exchanged a knowing glance with Shisui.
Almost simultaneously, the two activated their Sharingan, the Tomoe within their pupils spinning rapidly.
A mysterious and powerful force surged in their eyes as their Sharingan carefully searched their surroundings, leaving no suspicious detail unchecked.
On the bare mountainside, wild grass swayed in the wind, the ivy on the mountain wall was a dull green, and a mouse scurried around in a panic on the ground.
Huh?! A mouse!
Koki's gaze suddenly focused on the tiny creature, and a sense of alertness welled up in her heart.
This is a ninja beast!
At this critical moment, Shisui suddenly shouted, "Beware! The enemy is lurking underground!"
Before he finished speaking, the Chakra beneath his feet condensed like lightning, and without hesitation, he carried Koki swiftly towards the mountaintop.
The moment they left the ground, a deep yet deafening explosion resounded beneath their feet, instantly unleashing a breathtaking spectacle of explosions across the earth.
The shockwave from the explosion shook the entire valley. The mountain walls on both sides began to crack, and countless fragments scattered like a torrential rain. Thick smoke billowed and quickly spread, engulfing the place where they had just stood in chaos.
Koki steadied herself in mid-air and glanced back. She saw that Minato and Hayate had caught up, and neither of them showed much panic on their faces.
Minato's gaze was calm, as if he had anticipated this sudden turn of events, while Hayate gripped his sword hilt tightly, his eyes sharp as an eagle's, watching the billowing dust below warily.
As the smoke and dust slowly dissipated, the scene of utter devastation below gradually came into view: countless huge craters had been blasted into the ground, and the surrounding mountains had collapsed in many places.
However, the enemy could not be found.
They're still underground.
Shisui said in a deep voice, his Sharingan still meticulously searching the surroundings.
In the silent valley, Koki's defiant voice echoed, "Coward, still hiding?"
"Captain, what should we do?" All eyes turned to the leader.
They were originally acting on the orders of the Tsuchikage to infiltrate Konoha for reconnaissance, taking advantage of the terrain to hide in the deep valleys.
Unexpectedly, someone broke in, and surprisingly, the intruder's Forehead Protector revealed the insignia of Konoha Ninja.
"Hmph, let's just charge out and kill them!"
These well-trained Jonin, surely they could subdue a mere four, three of whom were nothing more than greenhorns.
How can I lose?!
"Rush!"
Sure enough, the provocation worked! Swish, swish, swish! A lot of ninjas suddenly appeared around Koki and the others.
These ninjas wore identical ochre battle robes, their faces solemn, their eyes revealing a chilling wariness and hostility.
Just then, a small red mouse with gleaming red eyes appeared and quickly climbed up the leader's trouser leg, soon landing on his shoulder.
The little mouse made two clear squeaks, as if showing off its accomplishments to its owner.
This was the very little mouse that Koki had just spotted.
The leader tilted his head slightly, his gaze falling on the little mouse on his shoulder. His eyes instantly revealed boundless affection, and his slender fingers gently stroked the animal's head with utmost tenderness.
Immediately, he took out a delicate pill from his pocket and brought it to the little mouse's lips.
"Sweetie, savor it slowly."
From a distance, Koki witnessed this scene and couldn't help but get goosebumps all over her body.
In his eyes, the rat was extremely ugly, with a thin body, messy fur, and a strange light shining from its red eyes, which sent chills down his spine.
If I'm not mistaken, this rat is that guy's pet, a spirit beast.
Summoning beasts are not uncommon in the ninja world, but very few people actually keep a mouse as a summoning beast.
After feeding the baby mouse, the leader gently patted its head. As if understanding its master's intention, the mouse jumped off his shoulder and disappeared into the grass.
The leader slightly raised his head and looked at the group.
"I originally intended to let you die painlessly, but since you've been discovered, I'll just have to waste some of my time to torture you!"
Although they weren't wearing Forehead Protector, Koki was still able to identify them from their unique appearance and short, stocky build.
"Iwagakure?" Koki her head slightly, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes.
Why are there so many Iwagakure Ninja around Konoha? Could it be that Konoha...? Minato's heart sank rapidly.
The brown-clad ninja at the head of the group turned cold, remaining silent as he stared intently at Koki and the others, as if assessing their strength.
"Alright, no need to hide it. With your short stature and rustic demeanor, what else could you be but Iwagakure?" Koki teased mercilessly.
Upon hearing this, the dark faces of the surrounding ninjas turned ashen, their eyes burning with rage as if they were about to explode at any moment.
"You son of Konoha, you're courting death!" an Iwagakure Ninja gritted his teeth and shouted angrily.